Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 183

Before Natalia could utter a word, the man had already grasped the photograph in his hand. Instinctively, she reached out to snatch it back, but Hamilton sidestepped her attempt.

"Give it back to me!"

Hamilton chuckled. "Why? Is there something you're afraid of me seeing?"

As he spoke, his gaze landed on the photo. It captured a little girl standing amidst a field of flowers. The image was somewhat blurred, but one could still make out that the little girl bore a resemblance to Natalia. Her smile was exceptionally bright, and her eyes sparkled with joy.

The photograph was taken by Tatiana at Natalia's request, just when Hamilton was about to leave town. Natalia hadn't managed to give it to him before he departed. And by the time they met again, she was a stranger to him. A pang of bitterness struck Natalia. Reflecting on it now, she and Hamilton, perhaps, were simply not fated to be together.

She reached for the photograph again, only to have Hamilton dodge her once more. Hamilton frowned at the photo, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity, which he ultimately attributed to the field of flowers.

He looked at Natalia. "You like these flowers too?"

He remembered that the last bouquet Ryan had bought was also these flowers. Natalia offered a wry smile. She wasn't surprised in the slightest that Hamilton didn't recognize her. After all, this man had truly forgotten her. How could he possibly remember anything from a mere photograph?

She stood on tiptoe and, with an impassive face, reclaimed the photograph. "I don't like them, just got used to them," she said.

Hamilton raised an eyebrow at her. "Then what do you like?"

"I'd like you to get lost!"

Hamilton snorted in response but said no more. Yet the image of Natalia in the photograph, beaming with uninhibited happiness, lingered in his mind—a version of her he had never seen before.

His gaze fell upon Natalia's face, and after a moment, he reached out to touch her eyes gently. "You must have been quite adorable as a child."

Natalia felt a sharp sting in her heart and briskly brushed his hand away. "Touch me again and see what happens!"

Hamilton laughed quietly, ceasing his teasing. He scanned the room, his eyes finally resting on a pink envelope tucked away in the corner of a bookshelf. He walked over and picked it up. Before he could open it, Natalia was by his side, snatching the envelope away.

Hamilton paused abruptly, his expression darkening. "A love letter written to that boy you liked?"

Natalia didn't respond. But Hamilton had already found his answer. He didn't want to admit it, but he was seething with jealousy. Why could this woman harbor feelings for that man for so long? What was so special about him to keep her affection for such an extended period?

"Natalia, you're quite the hopeless romantic," Hamilton said, though his heart felt sour.

Natalia glanced at him and walked away. "Natalia!" Hamilton called after her. "Do you still like him?"

Without turning back, Natalia replied, "I stopped liking him a long time ago. Liking him was the biggest mistake I've made in years."

As Hamilton watched her leave, his expression did not improve. After making another round of the room, seeing no other clues, Natalia decided to leave. Hamilton, with a stern face, followed her out.

"Let's have dinner together."

Natalia flatly refused, "No thanks, I lose my appetite looking at you."

Hamilton, exasperated but amused, retorted, "Am I that unpleasant to look at? I may not be a supermodel, but I think I'm at least better looking than Ryan!"

Natalia gave him a look of utter disdain and slipped into her car. Watching her car disappear, Hamilton's brow furrowed involuntarily. Moments later, he reached for his phone and called Alden.

"Check who Natalia had a crush on back in high school."

Alden paused, puzzled. "What? Why do you want to know that, bro?"

Hamilton scoffed, "I just want to see who's got the charm to keep her interested for so long."

As the year drew to a close, Ryan became increasingly busy with visitors from afar, leaving him no time to spare. Natalia was also swamped. Ron Group had just set foot in Silkwood City, and she was hands-on with every aspect of the business. The two could only catch up with each other by phone at night.

One evening, right after work, Natalia received a call. Expecting a client, she was taken aback to hear a strange woman's voice.