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

looked down at Hamilton's car, still

skeptical.

was silent for

asking, "Natalia, if —just if—your child was still alive, do you think there'd still be a chance for you

at the question. If their child was still

would

tears began to

there are no 'ifs' in this

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

Natalia

"Sure thing."

phone rang.

those partnership prospects from the charity event tonight and sent the details to

the company names on her phone, pausing

with Lionel Larkin from Lio Law Firm for

then added, "Book it at the bistro beneath the

with a

"You're home then?"

drying her hair as she walked back to the

area.

you and Hamilton would at least have a

"Bertram, cut it

I use

make me regret teaching

that, Natalia

at the dining table, scrolling

"How

"What could possibly be happening between

he visited you a few times while

out the local hospital's attractive doctors, finding excuses to pick fights with

Still got a

"Absolutely.

settled down

with his girlfriend last month. Perfect timing for my

her head in amusement. "Ever looked into him

"Why bother? Background? He comes from a good family.

at a loss for

some business before deciding to turn in. Noticing Natalia reaching

sleep

a resigned smile. "Seems like it's

was filled with sympathy as

he'd act quickly to

a sleek black dress, Natalia bought flowers and drove to

was a beautiful day. As she ascended