Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Hamilton froze for a moment, his heart suddenly clenched with pain so intense it almost left him breathless. Natalia had indeed given him chances.

Every test had been an opportunity from her.

Test after test, disappointment after disappointment.

Hamilton felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

He suddenly remembered the last time in Boria City, Natalia had said.

If he could just ignore Eveleen Schafer, they could start over.

Yet, he ended up forcing Natalia to give up her lawsuit with a contract.

Hamilton pinched the bridge of his nose hard.

"So, nothing I do matters anymore, huh?"

Natalia looked at him, her heart still aching.

"Hamilton, not everything can be started over."

She had once given him everything with reckless abandon.

In the end, all she got was scars.

Breaking free from their past relationship had cost her nearly everything.

She had barely clawed her way back to a semblance of a life.

And he was coming after her again.

Undoubtedly, what Hamilton did today moved her.

For someone like him to swallow his pride and help her explain things, her heart couldn't help but flutter.

But she was truly afraid to try again.

Such attempts had cost her too much.

After all, she and Hamilton were different.

Hamilton had his family and background. He could take what he wanted or leave with a flick of his wrist.

But for her, everything she gave was all she had.

The last time she had fallen off a cliff.

Even now, she would wake up from nightmares.

"Let's find somewhere to eat."

Natalia avoided Hamilton's gaze.

Hamilton stayed silent for a moment, then let her go.

Their relationship had just begun to mend, and he didn't want to push her too far.

Natalia eventually chose a diner.

When ordering, she picked all of Hamilton's favorite dishes.

Hamilton noticed the dishes she ordered, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"You still remember what I like."

Natalia paused, looking up at Hamilton.

"I wish I could forget, but it's been three years. It's not that easy!"

Hamilton chuckled but didn't say anything else, "Order some of your favorites too."

Natalia handed the menu to the waiter without another word.

The waiter glanced at Hamilton, who took the menu and added a few sweet dishes.

Natalia's lips twitched, but she remained silent.

Their meal was unusually quiet.

When Natalia went to pay, the waiter smiled at her.

"Your boyfriend already paid."

Natalia stopped, about to explain, but Hamilton came over and pulled her out without a word. Natalia glared at him, "Weren't you going to let me treat?"

Hamilton looked back at her, "Do I look like the kind of guy who lets a woman pay for dinner?"

Exiting the diner, Natalia was ready to hail a cab when Hamilton insisted on not letting go. "I'll drive you home."

Without giving her a chance to refuse, he pulled her to his car.

"I can take a cab myself!"

"Don't worry, I won't do anything to you," Hamilton said, opening the passenger door.

Natalia looked distrustful.

This man had too many precedents.

Always seizing the chance to take advantage of her.

Hamilton laughed, lifting her into the car.

Natalia was startled.

"Hamilton!"

Hamilton buckled her in, slammed the door, and got into the driver's seat.

As he buckled up, he sneered, "Do you really think I'm just interested in that sort of thing?"

"Are you not?" Natalia retorted.

Hamilton hmphed, "I might be interested, but I'm no beast. I have no interest in forcing anyone unless they're willing to play along." Hamilton drove Natalia to her hotel.

As she was about to get out, Hamilton suddenly grabbed her again.

""Natalia, I haven't booked a hotel yet."

Natalia paused, "Do you need help booking a room? There should be vacancies here."

Hamilton shamelessly asked, "Could you put me up for the night?"

Natalia scoffed, "Hamilton, have you no shame?"

With that, she got out of the car.

Hamilton watched her go but didn't follow.

Instead, he stepped out and lit a cigarette.

Back in her hotel room, Natalia saw a new message on her phone.

"It's really cold outside, no place to stay. Guess I deserve to freeze."

Sent from an unknown number, Natalia didn't need to guess who it was.

She went to the window, looking down.

It was hard to see from her high floor, but she could make out Hamilton's car still parked by the roadside.

She frowned, knowing full well this man was playing games.

Yet, she couldn't help but call him.

"Ms. Jenkins, what's up?" Hamilton's voice came through lazily.

"Hamilton, what are you doing?"

"Nothing much."

Natalia felt frustration building up, "Just book a room. If you catch a cold, don't expect me to care!"

Hamilton hummed in response, "Don't worry, even if I do catch a cold, I won't bother you."

After a moment of silence, Natalia hung up, got dressed, and went downstairs.

At the front desk, she whipped out her ID and booked another room.

Hamilton, still by his car with a cigarette in his mouth, saw Natalia coming out and smiled.

"Ms. Jenkins, out for a stroll?"

Natalia, fuming, slapped the room card against his chest.

"Go back and sleep!"

Hamilton suddenly grasped her wrist, pulling her closer to him.

"Natalia, you say you don't feel anything for me? Then why bother showing up here at all?"

Natalia's lips twitched slightly. "I just didn't want you catching a cold and then blaming it on me. After all, you did help me out today."

Hamilton let out a sound of realization. "I see. Don't worry, I won't be a burden on you. You don't have to care about me."

Natalia, frustration creeping into her tone, asked, "Hamilton, what do you really want?"

Hamilton released her. "Nothing much. The moon over Boria City is just stunning tonight. Can't I enjoy it?"

Natalia glared at him. "Do whatever you want then!"

With that, she turned to leave.

But Hamilton suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist from behind, pulling her into his embrace.

His warm presence enveloped her in an instant.

Natalia stiffened considerably.

Hamilton buried his face in the nape of her neck, taking a deep breath before whispering, "Natalia, do you care for me?"

His breath tickled her ear, making her feel as if she was losing control over half of her body.

"Hamilton, let me go."

Instead, Hamilton pressed a kiss near her ear.

"Natalia, you clearly feel something for me. Why won't you just admit it?"