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.

box, puzzled by the

murmured softly, turning to look at Hamilton. "Do you remember

of sadness hit

let's

"How about we get something

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

car and drove straight

he quickly got out and opened the car door

in the mood

offered with a smile, "Should

don't

protests, Hamilton

Natalia immediately struggled.

walk by

to put

with people, all of whom turned

"Hamilton!" Natalia exclaimed, desperate.

simply whispered in her ear, "What's wrong

resist, when

"Mr. Fowler."

and Giselle Lynd

face turned pale, her eyes flickering with malice upon seeing Hamilton

Giselle also looked displeased.

Eveleen

family had been counting on Eveleen to

she had passed away

what astounded her even more was

and Lynd families

very least, he owed

"She had it coming a long time

Giselle scoffed to herself.

the coldest creatures on

you, you

didn't, you

Natalia in Hamilton's arms, she couldn't

her boyfriend left her, and now, Eveleen's man had become

truly, was a homewrecker

mood darkened at the sight

Hamilton's embrace, but

grew

daughter had just died, and here was

Fowler, will you join us for Eveleen's

Looking

Lucinda, he

at Natalia, then

T

I've made myself

Schafer,

all I could

continued inside with Natalila in his arms, leaving