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

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

pang of sadness

let's go

chin gently, suggested, "How about we get something

without enthusiasm, "No thanks, I'm not

car and drove straight to a diner's parking

he quickly got out and opened

in the

offered with a smile,

really don't want

her protests, Hamilton carried

Natalia immediately struggled.

can walk

refused to put

bustling with people, all of

"Hamilton!" Natalia exclaimed, desperate.

"What's wrong with carrying the

resist, when they

"Mr. Fowler."

and Giselle Lynd standing at

turned pale, her eyes flickering with malice upon seeing

Giselle also looked displeased.

expected Eveleen to

counting on Eveleen to connect

she had passed away

what astounded her even

Schafer and Lynd families demanded

at the very least, he owed Eveleen a clear explanation of

coldly stated, "She had it coming a

Giselle scoffed to herself.

truly were the coldest creatures on

loved you,

they didn't, you

she couldn't help

had once been the reason her boyfriend left her, and now, Eveleen's man

a homewrecker in flesh and

mood darkened at

down from Hamilton's embrace, but he refused to let

complexion grew even

died, and here was Hamilton, flaunting

us for Eveleen's memorial

Looking

Lucinda, he replied,

Natalia, then

T

I've made myself

Schafer,

all I could for

continued inside with Natalila in his arms, leaving