Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 183

Before Natalia could utter a word, the man had already grasped the photograph in his hand. Instinctively, she reached out to snatch it back, but Hamilton sidestepped her attempt. "Give it back to me!"

Hamilton chuckled. "Why? Is there something you're afraid of me seeing?"

As he spoke, his gaze landed on the photo. It captured a little girl standing amidst a field of flowers. The image was somewhat blurred, but one could still make out that the little girl bore a resemblance to Natalia. Her smile was exceptionally bright, and her eyes sparkled with joy.

The photograph was taken by Tatiana at Natalia's request, just when Hamilton was about to leave town. Natalia hadn't managed to give it to him before he departed. And by the time they met again, she was a stranger to him. A pang of bitterness struck Natalia. Reflecting on it now, she and Hamilton, perhaps, were simply not fated to be together.

She reached for the photograph again, only to have Hamilton dodge her once more. Hamilton frowned at the photo, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity, which he ultimately attributed to the field of flowers.

He looked at Natalia. "You like these flowers too?"

He remembered that the last bouquet Ryan had bought was also these flowers. Natalia offered a wry smile. She wasn't surprised in the slightest that Hamilton didn't recognize her. After all, this man had truly forgotten her. How could he possibly remember anything from a mere photograph?

She stood on tiptoe and, with an impassive face, reclaimed the photograph. "I don't like them, just got used to them," she said.

Hamilton raised an eyebrow at her. "Then what do you like?"

"I'd like you to get lost!"

Hamilton snorted in response but said no more. Yet the image of Natalia in the photograph, beaming with uninhibited happiness, lingered in his mind-a version of her he had never seen before.

His gaze fell upon Natalia's face, and after a moment, he reached out to touch her eyes gently. "You must have been quite adorable as a child."

Natalia felt a sharp sting in her heart and briskly brushed his hand away. "Touch me again and see what happens!"

Hamilton laughed quietly, ceasing his teasing. He scanned the room, his eyes finally resting on a pink envelope tucked away in the corner of a bookshelf. He walked over and picked it up. Before he could open it, Natalia was by his side, snatching the envelope away. Hamilton paused abruptly, his expression darkening. "A love letter written to that boy you liked?"

Natalia didn't respond. But Hamilton had already found his answer. He didn't want to admit it, but he was seething with jealousy. Why could this woman harbor feelings for that man for so long? What was so special about him to keep her affection for such an extended period?

the hopeless romantic," Hamilton said, though his

"Natalia!" Hamilton called after her. "Do you still like

"I stopped liking him a long time ago. Liking

did not improve. After making another round of the room, seeing no other clues,

flatly refused, "No thanks, I lose

look at? I may not be a supermodel, but I think I'm

of utter disdain and slipped into her car. Watching her car disappear, Hamilton's

crush on

paused, puzzled. "What? Why do

see who's got the charm to keep

had just set foot in Silkwood City, and she was hands-on with every aspect of the business. The two could only

right after work, Natalia received a call. Expecting a client, she was taken

do you have a moment?

before answering, but then the woman on the other end chuckled. "Oh, I forgot to

short silence, Natalia agreed. "Alright,

arrival, she found the café had been reserved

Jenkins, please leave your phone

she turned to look at the woman inside. After a moment, she

"You can't bring

tightened. She understood that this meeting was likely intended to put her in her

my boyfriend, so I'm willing to treat his aunt with respect. However, if this is how I

to leave, but at that moment, a

immediately stepped aside.

an air of grace. As Natalia entered the room, she didn't even get a glance from the woman at the desk, who nonchalantly said, "Take a seat,

sore eyes? Even prettier than your pictures. No wonder my nephew is head over heels for

but responded with a chuckle of her own, "You flatter me, and might I add,

paused for a moment, then the warmth in