Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 170

Lucinda was in the midst of a full-blown meltdown, tears streaming down her face like a broken faucet.

Victor couldn't stand idly by any longer.

Rushing over, he helped Lucinda to her feet.

"Mrs. Schafer, please, don't panic. Hamilton didn't say he wouldn't help Eveleen."

Hamilton squinted, a storm brewing in his eyes, but he refrained from speaking.

Eveleen emerged from the emergency room well past midnight.

Only then did everyone disperse, reassured she was okay.

Alden, standing by Hamilton's side, his expression grave, asked, "Hamilton, you're not getting involved with her again, are you?"

Hamilton stared at the woman on the hospital bed, her face pale as death, his eyes a deep well of icy darkness.

It felt like an eternity before he snapped back to reality and left the hospital.

Natalia was deep in slumber when Scarlett burst into the room in a frenzy.

Blearily opening her eyes, Natalia mumbled, "What's up?"

Scarlett frowned and handed her phone over, mouthing two words silently.

"That jerk."

Natalia's brow furrowed as she recognized Hamilton's number on the screen.

"Hamilton, are you out of your mind? Calling at this godforsaken hour?"

Hamilton's voice came through, terse. "Come downstairs, just need to ask you something."

Then, he hung up.

Natalia stared at the disconnected call, her frown deepening.

"What's with him? Hamilton sounded off."

Shaking her head, Natalia had no clue.

But she wasn't about to indulge him.

Telling Scarlett to head back, she lay down, intent on catching some Z's.

But rest proved elusive; she tossed and turned, unable to find sleep.

Outside, the pop and crackle of Christmas Eve fireworks filled the air.

After half an hour of restlessness, she got up, threw on a down jacket, and stepped out onto the balcony. Below, Hamilton stood in the falling snow, his shoulders dusted white.

Hesitating for a moment, Natalia turned and made her way downstairs.

Hamilton looked up as she approached, and suddenly, the weight of Eveleen's troubles seemed to lift.

He forgot about her suicide attempt and their shared past.

If Natalia simply said she was willing, he'd let it all go.

A cold laugh escaped Hamilton's lips, but he knew deep down he couldn't abandon Eveleen.

Because she was Evi.

Anyone could replace Natalia.

But Evi was his one and only.

"What do you want?" Natalia's voice was tight.

Hamilton's eyes held a frosty layer.

"Can you break up with Ryan?"

After a pause, he added, "Think before you answer."

Without hesitation or thought, Natalia retorted, "No way."

Hamilton seemed to have anticipated her response.

His eyes, cold and hard, bore into hers. "Did you ever have feelings for me? Even just a little?"

A sour sting touched Natalia's heart.

She fought the surge of pain welling up inside.

"Never."

Hamilton chuckled dryly, then nodded.

"Alright, go back to sleep."

Natalia watched him, puzzled by the two meaningless questions he'd asked in the dead of night.

But she didn't press for answers.

Back in her room, she thought for a moment before stepping out onto the balcony again.

Hamilton was still there, the flickering glow of his cigarette the only light in the dark until it finally died out.

Natalia didn't hear about Eveleen's suicide attempt until the next day.

After dropping Ryan at the airport early that morning, she headed to the office to finish some handover work.

At the entrance, she bumped into a weary Alden.

"Rough night?" she asked.

Alden frowned at Natalia, his tone reluctant. "Ms. Jenkins, I'm sorry, but this situation is going to be tough on you again."

Natalia was puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

After a moment's silence, Alden delivered the news. "Eveleen tried to take her own life."