Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 289

Indeed, the contents of the bag were just as Debby had described.

A key, a notebook, and a box.

Natalia picked up the key, her eyes widening slightly in surprise-it was for a safety deposit box at a bank.

The notebook was Tatiana's diary.

And then there was the box.

Upon opening it, Natalia's heart skipped a beat.

It contained her rose quartz necklace-the very one she had smashed to pieces in a fit of rage at Graham. Somehow, unbeknownst to her, Tatiana had painstakingly started to piece together the shattered remnants.

She had only managed to reassemble half of it; numerous fragments still lay scattered inside the box.

Tears began to overflow as Natalia struggled to control her emotions.

She had never expected Tatiana to undertake such a task in secret.

Her mother.

Her mother had lived her life solely for her.

Tatiana had braved the world alone just to give birth to her, and later endured Graham's abuse to protect her.

It seemed everything she did, she did for Natalia.

Overwhelmed, Natalia broke down sobbing.

Hamilton, slightly panicked, pulled her into his embrace.

"What's wrong? Did your mom leave something for you?"

But Natalia could only cry.

It took a long while for her to calm down, with Hamilton holding her, his heart softening.

He gently patted her back, comforting her.

Wiping away her tears, Natalia thanked Hamilton-a courtesy that seemed distant and formal. That feeling instantly reminded Hamilton of the times Natalia had kept him at arm's length. He squeezed her waist.

"All this snot and tears on my shirt, and you think a simple 'thank you' will do?"

Natalia pushed him away, attempting to return to her seat, but Hamilton wasn't ready to let go. "Just let me hold you a little longer."

He was addicted to this feeling.

It was only when Natalia was crying in his arms that he felt a momentary sense of fulfillment. Now, he feared that letting her go would revert them back to their previous emotional distance.

Natalia, however, didn't indulge him and pushed him away.

She stared blankly at the broken crystal pieces in the box.

the half-finished necklace and its scattered fragments. "What's

softly, turning to look at Hamilton. "Do you remember it?"

of

mind, let's

gently, suggested, "How about we

Natalia replied without enthusiasm,

and drove

he quickly got out and

in the mood to

smile,

don't want to

Hamilton carried

Natalia immediately struggled.

walk by

to put her

was bustling with people, all of

"Hamilton!" Natalia exclaimed, desperate.

ear, "What's wrong with carrying

frowned, about to resist, when

"Mr. Fowler."

Giselle Lynd standing at

flickering with malice

Giselle also looked displeased.

hadn't expected Eveleen

family had been counting on Eveleen to connect with the Fowler

their shock, she had passed

her even more was

funeral, both the Schafer and Lynd

thought, at the very least, he owed Eveleen

stated, "She had

Giselle scoffed to herself.

were the coldest

loved you,

didn't, you were

Natalia in Hamilton's arms, she couldn't

her boyfriend left her, and

a

darkened at

Hamilton's embrace, but he refused

complexion grew even

had just died, and here was Hamilton, flaunting

us for Eveleen's memorial service?"

Looking

Lucinda, he

at Natalia, then

T

I've made myself

Schafer,

all I could for

continued inside with Natalila in his arms,