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

moved towards the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water. She looked down at Hamilton's car, still parked outside, before replying, "What else is there to talk

skeptical. "And he

was silent for a

"Natalia, if —just if—your child was

the question. If

likely would never have

began to

there are no

changed the subject. "Alright, let's not talk about it. What do

of pasta," Natalia suggested, wiping away

"Sure thing."

phone rang. It

from the charity event tonight and sent the details to your phone. Let me know when you're free, and I'll set

on her phone, pausing at one in

a meeting with

paused, then added, "Book it at the bistro beneath the Amor

acknowledged with

"You're home then?"

as she walked

area.

"I thought you and Hamilton

grimaced. "Bertram, cut it with the

use it

do is make me regret teaching

Natalia

at the dining table, scrolling through videos as she ate her

glanced at her. "How are things with

could possibly be happening between

heard he visited you a few times while you

out the local hospital's attractive doctors,

Still got a thing for

nodded, "Absolutely. Emeric's

he settled

with his girlfriend last

her head in amusement. "Ever

from a good family. Morals? Better to discover them myself

at a loss for

on some business before deciding to turn in.

can't sleep on

offered a resigned smile. "Seems

filled with sympathy

he'd act quickly

next morning, dressed in a sleek black dress, Natalia

was a beautiful day. As she