Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 188

Hamilton grabbed Natalia's arm and practically shoved her into the car. As the car doors locked, Natalia was fuming. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Hamilton didn't respond; instead, he tapped out a message on his phone. Then, he started the car and drove off. His phone buzzed incessantly along the way with calls from Westley and texts from Eveleen. Hamilton picked up the device and switched it to silent mode. Natalia stayed quiet the whole time. She used to be so sensitive to Eveleen's personalized ringtone, but now, it barely stirred any emotion in her.

Hamilton drove out of the city, heading toward the hills in the suburbs. Natalia's temples throbbed. She was about to speak up when Hamilton suddenly pulled over and got out of the car. Natalia frowned, and before she could react, Hamilton had opened the passenger door. "Get out."

"What on earth are you up to?"

Why bring her to this desolate place in the dead of night? If she didn't know better, she'd think he was planning to off her.

"You wanted fireworks, right? Whatever Ryan can do for you, I can do better."

Hamilton's gaze was intense, filled with emotions he couldn't quite articulate. Everything Ryan could give her, he could give her more. He wanted to give her everything she desired. He also hoped that everything she wanted would come from him.

Natalia thought she had misheard. This man brought her here in the middle of the night just to watch fireworks?

"Hamilton, are you out of your mind? Take me back!"

"After the show."

Hamilton tugged her out of the car. No sooner had she stepped out than a firework burst overhead. Natalia paused, then couldn't help but look up. One after another, they bloomed in the New Year's Eve sky, a dazzling cascade of color.

on the sky. Hamilton stood beside her, watching her reaction. The flicker of lights in her eyes with each burst of color reminded him of a photograph from her childhood. Back

resist; he reached out and gently touched her eyelid. Natalia snapped back to reality, locking eyes

"Do you like it?"

sure know how

look in

one

could lay it all at her feet just the same. After all they'd been through, it was clear to her. This man couldn't let go

that pain again. She didn't want what wasn't solely hers, just like Scarlett said, not to settle. From now on, she refused to settle for anyone. Natalia said nothing more, just leaned against the car, quietly watching the fireworks. The display lasted nearly half an hour. The cold wind howled, and Natalia shivered. Hamilton draped his coat over her shoulders and whispered into her ear, "Happy New Year, Natalia." Natalia bit her lip, about to speak, when his lips suddenly claimed hers. Before she could react, he deepened the kiss. Natalia bristled. She tried to knee him, but Hamilton pinned her legs. Furious, she bit down on his lip-hard. Blood immediately filled their

landed on his face. Her eyes blazing, Natalia stared

me again, Hamilton, and I'll tear

inscrutable

you?

her period, they could still kiss. Just the thought made Hamilton crazed with jealousy. Today,

"What's it to you?!"

dampened by this insufferable

stay and keep you

face was still a picture

food before you eat it. Give me a call if you need anything. It's too cold outside for Ryan to come over anyway, and you've already seen enough fireworks for one night." With a loud bang, Natalia slammed the hospital room door

the hospital when a figure suddenly rushed towards