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.

glanced at the box, puzzled by the half-finished necklace and its

softly, turning to look at

of sadness hit

let's

"How about we get

without enthusiasm, "No

and drove straight to a

and

in

smile, "Should I carry

don't

her protests, Hamilton

Natalia immediately struggled.

walk by

to put her

with people, all of whom turned to

"Hamilton!" Natalia exclaimed, desperate.

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

to resist, when they were

"Mr. Fowler."

she saw Lucinda and Giselle

flickering with

Giselle also looked displeased.

hadn't expected Eveleen

on Eveleen to

their shock, she

astounded her even more

the funeral, both the Schafer and

the very least, he owed Eveleen a clear explanation

"She had

Giselle scoffed to herself.

truly were the coldest

you, you

didn't,

Natalia in Hamilton's arms, she

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

truly, was a homewrecker in flesh and

darkened at the

struggled to get down from Hamilton's embrace,

complexion grew even

daughter had just died, and here was Hamilton,

Fowler, will you join us for Eveleen's memorial service?" Lucinda implored.

Looking

he

at Natalia,

T

I've made myself

Schafer,

I could for

inside with Natalila in his arms, leaving Lucinda trailing