Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Meanwhile, on the other side of town...

Delilah was fuming after hearing that Natalia hadn't left and Hamilton had invited her over again. Magnus watched her with a frown. "Come on, what's the use of throwing a tantrum?"

Delilah was livid. She had thought this time, it was over between them for good. Yet here they were, still entangled with each other. "That Natalia, why can't she just vanish for good? As long as she's around, Hamilton will probably never give me a second glance."

Magnus snorted, "What's the rush? Someone will deal with Natalia sooner or later. Eveleen's death is all pinned on her by the Schafer family, not to mention the Fowler family. They'll never tolerate her sticking around Hamilton forever." Delilah raised an eyebrow, "Grandpa, did you have a hand in Eveleen's demise?"

Magnus huffed, "She was a liability. Better to make some use of her in the end."

Delilah frowned, "But the Schafer family are all duds. Can they really pull it off?"

Magnus chuckled, "Never underestimate the power of vengeance."

When Natalia emerged from the bathroom, she found Hamilton lost in thought. She sat down at the table without a word. Hamilton snapped back to reality and caressed her face, "What would you like to eat?"

Natalia dodged his hand, "Anything's fine."

She had lost her appetite, especially after seeing Lucinda earlier. Hamilton could tell she was upset but didn't press further, simply ordering some of her favorite dishes.

It wasn't until they finished eating that he asked, "Heading back to your apartment later?"

"Going to Scarlett's place," Natalia stated without hesitation.

Hamilton smiled, then offered her a glass of water, "Stomach troubles again?"

Natalia lowered her gaze, "It's alright."

This pregnancy wasn't as taxing as the last.

"I can have the housekeeper swing by Scarlett's to cook for you. Just for meals, then she'll leave. It won't disrupt your life."

Natalia paused before declining, "No need. I'm not that fragile."

Hamilton held her hand, "Natalia, I just want to do something for you."

Her fingers tensed, but she soon withdrew her hand and took a sip from her water glass. Hamilton let out a dejected chuckle, "What about security? And a driver? You shouldn't be driving while pregnant. And maybe a bodyguard for when you're out?" Natalia glanced at him and then looked away. Hamilton chuckled again, dropping the subject.

the restaurant, they bumped into

a turmoil. Deals were falling through left and right, and even long-time partners were backing out. The NorthSuburb project was facing one issue after another. Ronin had been running ragged, caught between endless meetings and

lift his spirits, "Natalia!

he hadn't seen her. She

smile,

sighed, "Not great. My company's

situation to Natalia, who instantly frowned. It was clear someone

Natalia didn't press the issue, simply advising Ronin, "Try to drink less. Not everything has to be solved over

then turned to Hamilton, "Take good

if I needed

favor of you two? Maybe you should let go. Look at me, my old man said no to pursuing Natalia, so I backed off. No point in

Why do you think I

"Afraid you can't

you? Please. I stepped

looked guiltily at Natalia,

Joyner exactly say about

me to offend you. After all, you're known for throwing punches when things don't

jab, but Ronin was already saying his goodbyes

Hamilton leaned in, "What were

Natalia dismissed it, "Nothing."

headed back

the car, Hamilton finally broke the

"Thinking about Mason?"

she hated to admit it, Hamilton was

me joining Ron Group, but it was Mason who really pushed for it. + couldn't figure out why he

a lot like a woman he

that, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to block Ronin from pursuing

Natalia frowned.

mom was kidnapped right when he was at the hospital, and he had visited the hospital two days before

to pull away,

days before your mom's incident, Mason made a special trip to play chess with my

was stunned, forgetting

gently held it, weaving his

suspect he had