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.

they left the restaurant, they bumped

through left and right, and even long-time partners were backing out. The

his spirits,

funeral, he hadn't seen her.

smile, "I'm okay,

great. My

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

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

turned to Hamilton, "Take good

if I needed your

my old man said no to pursuing Natalia, so I backed off. No point in causing more pain." Natalia frowned, and Hamilton's gaze

Why do

scoffed, "Afraid

laughed mockingly, "Compete with you? Please. I stepped back because of

guiltily at

exactly say about not

didn't want me to offend you. After all, you're known for

was already

in, "What were you thinking about just

Natalia dismissed it, "Nothing."

headed back

the car, Hamilton finally broke the

"Thinking about Mason?"

hated to admit it, Hamilton was the one who understood her

who first brought up the idea of me joining Ron Group, but it was Mason who really pushed for

he said I looked a lot like a woman he had a

gone out of his way to block Ronin from pursuing you. And if he was really scared of offending me, he wouldn't

Natalia frowned.

My mom was kidnapped right when he was at the hospital, and he had visited the hospital

away, but he firmly held

incident, Mason made a special trip to

was stunned, forgetting to

gently held it, weaving

suspect he had a hand in