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

Hamilton's car, still

skeptical. "And he

silent for a

then hesitated, finally asking, "Natalia, if —just if—your child was still alive, do

question. If their child

would never

began to

no 'ifs' in this

a sensitive topic, Scarlett quickly changed the subject. "Alright, let's not talk about it. What do you feel like eating? I'll

bowl of pasta," Natalia suggested, wiping

"Sure thing."

shower, Natalia's phone

event tonight and sent the details

company names on her phone, pausing at

tomorrow during the day. Schedule a meeting with Lionel Larkin from Lio Law Firm for the

it at the bistro beneath the Amor

with

"You're home then?"

as she walked back to the

area.

and Hamilton

"Bertram, cut it with the

use

do is make me

that, Natalia

table, scrolling through videos as

at her. "How are things with

"What could possibly be happening between

he visited you a few times while you

the local hospital's attractive doctors, finding

got a

nodded, "Absolutely.

he settled down

mischievously. "Nope. Broke up with his girlfriend last month. Perfect

amusement. "Ever looked into

a good family. Morals? Better

was at a

dinner, Natalia worked on some business before deciding to turn in. Noticing Natalia reaching for

sleep on your

smile.

filled with sympathy as she

act quickly to spare

a sleek black dress, Natalia bought

a beautiful day. As she ascended