Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Hamilton muttered under his breath, "Just keep a watchful eye from a distance, no need to hover too closely."

Alden nodded in agreement.

From afar, Killian emerged from the airport terminal, his hand intertwined with that of a little girl, her cheeks rosy and full of life.

By his side was a woman, his wife.

Who would have thought that Killian, during his three-year stint abroad, had managed to charm a local nurse into marrying him?

Killian's wife, Jolene Stafford, had practically watched Amora grow up.

As they walked, Jolene playfully engaged with Amora.

Amora clutched a teddy bear in her arms.

Her face was partially hidden behind a mask, yet her sparkling eyes were unmistakable.

Her curly black hair was adorned with a large butterfly bow, perfectly complementing her princess dress.

"Daddy Killian, Amora's tired," she complained.

Killian sighed, a mix of frustration and tenderness in his voice, "What did the

doctor say? You need to walk more, sweetie, to get stronger."

Amora blinked up at him, "But if Amora gets too tired, I can get sick, right, Mommy Jolene?"

Jolene couldn't help but laugh.

"She's just out of the hospital. Don't push her too hard, let her adjust gradually," she advised.

Amora nodded vigorously, "Mommy Jolene is right!"

Killian looked between the two, his resolve melting into a smile, as he lifted Amora into his arms.

"No more slacking off after this," he warned gently.

Amora, delighted, pressed a kiss to Killian's cheek through her mask.

"Thank you, Daddy Killian."

Killian affectionately scraped his nose against hers.

Alden watched their interaction from a distance, a lump forming in his throat.

How he wished it was his brother embracing Amora, with Natalia by their side.

He couldn't resist capturing the moment with his phone, sending the pictures to Hamilton.

Hamilton's fingers trembled slightly as he zoomed in on the photo, focusing on Amora's eyes until they were clear.

He glanced at Natalia, who was still kneeling by the graves.

"Killian's married now, has a daughter. She's beautiful."

Amora was frail, so they had even adjusted her birthdate on the birth certificate to

half

then said after a

when you see

"Want to see their

"Better not. It'll just

down at

if one day I could give you back what

Natalia stiffened.

What she cherished most?

know anymore, so how could

said, her gaze lost on

felt a sharp pain in

Natalia stood up.

changed your mind about what we discussed

lips together, then smiled, "I won't change my mind, Natalia. You

met his gaze briefly, then

that case, I

away, leaving Hamilton staring after her,

leaving the cemetery, Natalia headed straight to her new

into the domestic market wasn't

Silkwood City two years earlier, thriving

was bound to cause friction, so she had much

late into the evening before changing and heading to the restaurant where she'd agreed

lit up

been too long,"

his hand

even

blushed slightly

you who's become

an

"Really, you look stunning."

"Thanks for the compliment,

as Lionel was about to reply, he caught sight of

off.

all

gaze, Natalia saw Hamilton, her expression flickering

back at

go inside and talk," she

glanced at

"You sure it's okay?"

"Don't worry

that, she led the way into

Group, watching Natalia

face clouding

up with Lionel, especially

turned to

"Is Lionel married?"

assistant, caught off guard, stammered,

said, "Check on Lionel from

out if he's

by the request, he quickly