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.

puzzled by the half-finished necklace and its scattered

look at Hamilton. "Do you remember it?" Hamilton

of sadness hit

mind, let's

"How

without enthusiasm, "No thanks,

and drove straight to a diner's

he quickly got out and opened

really not in

offered with a smile, "Should I carry

don't want

protests, Hamilton carried her

Natalia immediately struggled.

can walk by

to

diner was bustling with people, all of whom turned to look

"Hamilton!" Natalia exclaimed, desperate.

ear, "What's wrong with carrying the mother of my

about to resist, when they

"Mr. Fowler."

Giselle Lynd standing at

her eyes flickering with malice upon seeing Hamilton holding

Giselle also looked displeased.

hadn't expected Eveleen

had been counting on Eveleen to connect

she had

her even more was Hamilton's

funeral, both the Schafer and Lynd families demanded Hamilton investigate Eveleen's

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

had only coldly stated, "She had it coming a long time

Giselle scoffed to herself.

truly were the coldest creatures

loved you, you were

didn't, you

she

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

a

at the sight of

down from Hamilton's embrace, but

grew even

daughter had just died, and here was

Eveleen's memorial

Looking

Lucinda, he replied,

at Natalia,

T

I've made myself

Schafer,

all I

inside with Natalila in his arms, leaving