Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Natalia paused for a moment, her voice cool as she delivered her parting shot. "This is none of Mr. Fowler's business anymore."

With that, she strode into the building, the click of her high heels echoing down the hallway.

Alden stood by the car, transfixed by the sight of Natalia.

She seemed so different now. Sure, she was as beautiful as ever, but there was this new layer of detached independence about her.

"Bro, did you even try talking to Natalia?" Hamilton leaned back in his seat, letting out a rueful chuckle.

"Talk about what?"

The past?

Their child?

It had been three years since Hamilton had touched a cigarette.

After coming back from abroad, he had quit smoking. But now, the urge struck him fiercely.

Natalia arrived home to find Scarlett just waking up.

Natalia had left that summer, and Scarlett had gone abroad for further studies, only returning a few days ago, still jet-lagged.

Stretching languidly, Scarlett wandered into the kitchen for a glass of water.

"Won't you have trouble sleeping tonight if you're up now?" Natalia asked, her tone laced with mild exasperation.

Scarlett suddenly cursed under her breath.

"Why is Hamilton's car downstairs?"

Natalia's movement of changing her shoes paused momentarily.

"He drove me home."

Scarlett nearly choked on her water.

"You've seen him already?"

Natalia carefully removed her earrings, placing them gently into a jewelry box inside her bag, before finally speaking, "I was the one who reached out to him."

Scarlett rushed over in disbelief.

"You reached out to him? Natalia, what are you thinking?"

She remembered how devastated Natalia had been when she left. Hamilton had been so cruel, Scarlett couldn't imagine Natalia would ever consider getting back with him.

Natalia avoided her gaze.

"I'm back to explore the domestic market, right? Silkwood City is now the largest hub for international trade here, so naturally, it's my first stop. And coming here... I had to see Hamilton."

frowned. "Just for

towards the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water. She looked down at Hamilton's car,

was skeptical.

silent for a moment.

if—your

stiffened at the question. If

would

began

there are no 'ifs'

bringing up such a sensitive topic, Scarlett quickly changed the subject. "Alright, let's not talk about it. What

pasta," Natalia suggested, wiping

"Sure thing."

shower, Natalia's phone rang. It

and sent the details

through the company names on her

with Lionel Larkin from Lio Law

then added, "Book it at the bistro

acknowledged with a

"You're home then?"

nonchalantly confirmed, drying her hair as she

area.

"I thought you and Hamilton would at least have

grimaced. "Bertram, cut it with the

I use it

make me regret teaching

that, Natalia

scrolling through

"How are things with

"What could possibly be happening between

heard he visited you a

him checking out the local hospital's attractive doctors, finding excuses to

Still got a thing for

"Absolutely. Emeric's the

he settled down

his girlfriend last month. Perfect

her head in amusement. "Ever

head. "Why bother? Background? He comes from a good family. Morals? Better to

a loss for

turn in. Noticing Natalia reaching for

sleep on your

resigned smile. "Seems like it's

expression was filled with sympathy as she

hoping he'd act quickly to spare Natalia any further

dress, Natalia bought flowers and drove to the

was a beautiful day. As