Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 200

Natalia laid eyes on Delia for the very first time. A woman in her seventies, her hair a crown of silver, carried a spirit that defied her years. Her eyes, even at this age, sparkled with a clarity that was arresting.

Dawson seemed to feel the gaze upon him and paused, casting a look their way. Noticing, Delia also turned, her gaze settling on Natalia's face. For a moment, her expression wavered into a distant haze, as if she were seeing a ghost of someone else. It wasn't until Dawson beckoned to her that she snapped back to the present. "Ms. Delia, this here is Natalia, Ms. Jenkins. Caspian has mentioned her to you before, I believe."

Delia's face broke into a warm smile. "Natalia, I've heard a lot about you from Caspian. I've been meaning to meet you sooner; can't believe it took us this long."

Her eyes lingered on Natalia's face, as if through her she could see someone else, filled with a poignant nostalgia. For an instant, there was even a sour twinge at the tip of her nose. She hadn't believed others when they said there was a resemblance. Now, seeing Natalia in person, she knew it was true. Her daughter had also been so beautiful, so talented, and yet...

Natalia's lips curved up. "Ms. Delia, it's wonderful to meet you. You're even more radiant in person than on TV."

Delia chuckled at the compliment. "You're quite the looker yourself, my dear. You must come over for dinner sometime; I'll whip up something delightful." As she spoke, Delia felt the familiar sting at her nose once again.

Natalia nodded, "I'd like that very much. I'll make sure to find the time."

Dawson watched the exchange with a soft grin. "Alright, Ms. Delia, let's let them get on with their day. Natalia's the main translator for the summit; she's got her hands full."

Delia blinked, "Oh, is that so? Well, you better get to it then. We'll catch up another time."

Indeed, Natalia was swamped with work. After a brief exchange, she and Collin headed back to the conference.

Delia watched her leave, still somewhat dazed. "Dawson, do you think she might be..."

Dawson's chuckle interrupted her thoughts. "Ms. Delia, I checked. She doesn't even know Liliana."

across Delia's eyes. "Yes, she wouldn't know Liliana. Where could my Liliana

low in the sky, prompting Natalia to remember that today was the Lantern Festival. "You've spent the whole day with an old man like me on a holiday. You must be bored out of your mind," Collin

lightly, "Mr. Collin, I

looked at her, surprised. "What's a young

smiled but didn't reply, her

about we join a banquet? It's mostly families from the Foreign Service, could be good for you to mingle." Natalia was about to decline when she turned and saw Hamilton standing not too far away. Dressed in black, he seemed to blend into the

her, Hamilton committing Eveleen to a psychiatric facility. Every action of Hamilton's seemed to reach her ears, intentional or not. Yet Natalia felt indifferent. Some wounds, even when healed,

Natalia changed her mind. Facing Hamilton, she'd rather be at a

on Natalia's face from a distance. She had been smiling a moment ago, but the instant she saw him, that smile disappeared. He couldn't quite describe what he felt at that moment. It was as if, without knowing when, he'd gone from being

past cruelty. He regretted not realizing sooner that the woman who had always been by his side was the one who truly cared for him. Now that he knew, it

in his car. He could tell she was avoiding him, but he was determined

Service. Natalia's beauty, coupled with the

came over immediately.

was a Foreign Service event, so I thought I'd

affairs. "If I'd known you were

Ryan, will you take

nodded eagerly. Once Collin had left, Ryan escorted Natalia to the dining area. "Today's the Lantern Festival. Let's not fill up here; how about I take you out for some traditional

need to go out of your way. I'm happy

had kept the conversation light, chatting with her

from time to time. "Margaret, surely that's not your son Chase's new girlfriend?" one of

before speaking up, her voice smooth as silk, "Let's

knowing smirks. "Still, Chase seems quite taken with her, and who can blame him?

Chase's alma mater. It's only natural for him to look out for an underclassman, given