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 box, puzzled by the half-finished

softly, turning to look at Hamilton.

of

mind, let's go

chin gently, suggested, "How about we get something to eat

enthusiasm, "No thanks,

and drove straight

quickly got out and

frowned, really not in

offered with a smile, "Should I

don't want

Hamilton carried her

Natalia immediately struggled.

walk by

however, refused to put her

diner was bustling with people, all

"Hamilton!" Natalia exclaimed, desperate.

her ear, "What's wrong with carrying

resist, when

"Mr. Fowler."

saw Lucinda and Giselle Lynd standing at the

eyes flickering with malice

Giselle also looked displeased.

Eveleen

on Eveleen to

she

her even more was Hamilton's

and Lynd families demanded

very least, he owed Eveleen a clear explanation of

coldly stated, "She had it coming a

Giselle scoffed to herself.

were the

you, you

didn't, you

she couldn't help but feel a burning

her boyfriend left

woman, truly, was a homewrecker in

darkened at the

embrace, but he refused to let her

grew

and here was Hamilton,

join us for Eveleen's memorial service?" Lucinda implored.

Looking

Lucinda, he

at Natalia,

T

I've made myself

Schafer,

I could for

that, he continued inside with Natalila in his arms, leaving Lucinda