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

at Hamilton. "Do you

pang of

mind, let's

holding her chin gently, suggested, "How

Natalia replied without enthusiasm, "No thanks, I'm not

car and drove straight to a diner's

got out and opened the car

frowned, really not in the mood

with a smile,

really don't want

protests, Hamilton carried

Natalia immediately struggled.

walk by

to

diner was bustling with people, all of

"Hamilton!" Natalia exclaimed, desperate.

ear, "What's wrong

resist,

"Mr. Fowler."

Lucinda and Giselle Lynd standing at

turned pale, her eyes flickering with malice upon

Giselle also looked displeased.

Eveleen to die

counting on Eveleen to connect with

shock, she had

what astounded her even more was

and Lynd families demanded Hamilton investigate Eveleen's

very least, he owed Eveleen a clear explanation of

Hamilton had only coldly stated, "She had it coming a

Giselle scoffed to herself.

were the

they loved you,

they didn't, you

Natalia in Hamilton's arms, she couldn't help but

boyfriend left

a homewrecker

at

embrace, but he refused to let her

grew even

here was Hamilton, flaunting this

us for Eveleen's memorial

Looking

Lucinda, he replied,

at Natalia,

T

I've made myself

Schafer,

I

with Natalila in his arms, leaving