Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 188

Hamilton grabbed Natalia's arm and practically shoved her into the car. As the car doors locked, Natalia was fuming.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Hamilton didn't respond; instead, he tapped out a message on his phone. Then, he started the car and drove off. His phone buzzed incessantly along the way with calls from Westley and texts from Eveleen. Hamilton picked up the device and switched it to silent mode.

Natalia stayed quiet the whole time. She used to be so sensitive to Eveleen's personalized ringtone, but now, it barely stirred any emotion in her.

Hamilton drove out of the city, heading toward the hills in the suburbs. Natalia's temples throbbed. She was about to speak up when Hamilton suddenly pulled over and got out of the car. Natalia frowned, and before she could react, Hamilton had opened the passenger door.

"Get out."

"What on earth are you up to?"

Why bring her to this desolate place in the dead of night? If she didn't know better, she'd think he was planning to off her.

"You wanted fireworks, right? Whatever Ryan can do for you, I can do better."

Hamilton's gaze was intense, filled with emotions he couldn't quite articulate. Everything Ryan could give her, he could give her more. He wanted to give her everything she desired. He also hoped that everything she wanted would come from him.

Natalia thought she had misheard. This man brought her here in the middle of the night just to watch fireworks?

"Hamilton, are you out of your mind? Take me back!"

"After the show."

Hamilton tugged her out of the car. No sooner had she stepped out than a firework burst overhead. Natalia paused, then couldn't help but look up. One after another, they bloomed in the New Year's Eve sky, a dazzling cascade of color.

Natalia watched, entranced by the beauty. She loved fireworks. Loved their fleeting, stunning splendor. Their beauty seemed to suspend all worries, if only for a moment. Natalia's gaze was fixed on the sky. Hamilton stood beside her, watching her reaction. The flicker of lights in her eyes with each burst of color reminded him of a photograph from her childhood. Back then, her eyes shone just as brightly.

He couldn't resist; he reached out and gently touched her eyelid. Natalia snapped back to reality, locking eyes with him.

"Do you like it?"

Natalia looked away, "Mr. Fowler, you sure know how to sweet-talk the ladies."

The romantic look in Hamilton's eyes vanished instantly.

"Natalia! You're the only one I've ever wooed like this!"

Natalia was silent. Perhaps that was true. But if Eveleen wanted it, he could lay it all at her feet just the same. After all they'd been through, it was clear to her. This man couldn't let go of Eveleen, no matter what. Even now, he was shamelessly clinging to her. But the one who truly occupied the deepest corner of his heart was still Eveleen.

So even though she understood his intentions to make amends, she never let herself be moved. She didn't want to experience that pain again. She didn't want what wasn't solely hers, just like Scarlett said, not to settle. From now on, she refused to settle for anyone.

Natalia said nothing more, just leaned against the car, quietly watching the fireworks. The display lasted nearly half an hour. The cold wind howled, and Natalia shivered. Hamilton draped his coat over her shoulders and whispered into her ear, "Happy New Year, Natalia."