Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 208

Hamilton felt a twinge of discomfort in his chest.

"Natalia, do you really see me as someone who can't tell right from wrong?" he asked.

Natalia let out a soft laugh.

She wanted to retort, "Aren't you?" But in the end, she swallowed her words. There was no point in arguing now.

Hamilton stood up and approached her. "Look, if she really did it, I won't cover for her, I promise."

Natalia didn't respond, her hopes not high. She had heard such promises too many times, only to be let down again and again. She didn't want to blame Hamilton for Eveleen's actions anymore. After all, their relationship wasn't such that Hamilton was obliged to take her side. Besides, he had saved her that day.

"Let's go back to the hotel," Natalia said, heading towards the door.

Hamilton followed, frowning, wanting to say more but unsure what to say.

They left the Foreign Affairs Department, and in the quiet of the night, Hamilton felt as if a vast chasm had opened between them. This distance irked him, and he quickened his pace to walk beside her. Under the moonlight, their shadows merged together. Hamilton looked down at the shadows, feeling a bit better.

Natalia frowned slightly. Hamilton's sudden closeness made her uncomfortable. His towering figure seemed to envelop her. With the greenery beside her, there was nowhere to escape.

"Hamilton, can you keep your distance?" she said, pushing him slightly.

Hamilton grunted, "My arm hurts."

Natalia took a deep breath and hurried to the car. "Give me the keys."

But Hamilton didn't hand them over; he just got into the car. Natalia didn't argue further and joined him. They returned to the hotel in silence.

When Natalia was about to leave Hamilton at his room, he suddenly grabbed her. "Natalia, I'm hungry."

She glanced at him. "I'll order room service."

Hamilton frowned. "I want to dine with you."

Natalia firmly declined, "No, thank you. Eat by yourself; I'm not hungry."

Hamilton persisted, "Everyone needs to eat! Natalia, it's my health at stake."

"I'll eat when I'm hungry!"

"But I need to shower afterwards, Natalia, and it's hard with my arm like this."

Her gaze fell on the bandage on his arm, and after a moment, she snapped, "Hamilton, I've hurt my arm before; don't play dumb with me!"

Hamilton stiffened, suddenly remembering Natalia's past injury caused by Eveleen's fans. Or rather, caused by Eveleen herself.

Swallowing hard, he felt a pang of pain. "Well, now I'm hurt too; guess we're even."

Natalia laughed mockingly, "In such a rush to atone for your darling Eveleen?"

Hamilton's face darkened, "Natalia, you're twisting my words."

After a pause, Natalia said, "You got this injury protecting me, so I'll take care of you."

She turned to call room service. While on the phone, her own rang. It was Caspian.

She answered, stepping outside. Caspian asked about their return and Hamilton's condition, offering to send someone to take care of him. Natalia declined, stating she didn't want to feel indebted to Hamilton.

Hamilton, overhearing, felt a cold laugh bubble up. So she was only helping to avoid feeling indebted.

Removing his jacket, he gazed out the window, calling Eveleen to arrange constant surveillance for him.