Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Natalia could barely make out what Alden was saying from the other end of the phone. Her lips were pressed tightly together, her fingernails digging into her palms. Just as she expected.

She glanced at Hamilton before asking in a low voice, "Who is it this time? The Schafer family? The Powell family? Or is it your Fowler family?"

Hamilton, his gaze dropping to her pale face, felt a wave of guilt so intense it was almost physical. "No matter who it is, I'll find them and deal with them," he assured her. Natalia looked at him, wanting to ask, "And what about next time?" But the words never left her mouth. Despite everything, he had helped her today.

"Thank you," she finally said after a long silence, her voice barely above a whisper.

That 'thank you' pierced Hamilton's heart. She used to thank him all the time, always polite yet distant. He never understood the emotions behind those words, how she felt saying them. He was annoyed by her cool demeanor back then, by her reluctance to let him in. He never realized the extent of his neglect and harshness towards her, nor how she coped with seeing him dote on Eveleen.

Now, looking at Natalia, Hamilton was reminded of how fragile she had been after their lost child, her desperation to keep the baby even if it meant raising it alone. He had coldly declared, "A child not blessed by its parents shouldn't exist," a statement he once believed in, even if he later regretted it.

Hamilton didn't know how Natalia could still accept him after all that had happened. He felt like a complete jerk for trampling over the courage she had mustered to reach out to him. He had thought visiting Eveleen was necessary, to give her closure, but he hadn't anticipated the cruel joke fate would play on him.

He wanted to apologize to Natalia, to tell her he had been wrong, but the damage was already done. The apology seemed too cheap now.

"Natalia, I'm just doing what I should," Hamilton said after a moment, his voice heavy.

"Hamilton, the best thing you could do is stay away from me. Haven't you noticed? Every time I get hurt, it's because of you. So please, just stay away, okay?" Natalia's voice was firm, her decision made.

Hamilton grabbed her wrist, his eyes showing no sign of backing down. "Do you really think that if I'm not around, those people won't harm you? If they're after you, my presence or absence won't make a difference. I can protect you only if I'm by your side."

He pulled her into his arms, whispering, "I can't feel at peace unless I know you and the child are safe. Natalia, if not for yourself, then for the sake of our child."

The mention of the child only made Natalia scoff. "Child? Hamilton, you couldn't even care for your fiancée, your woman, and now you talk of a child? Isn't it too late for that?"

Pushing him away, she declared, "Don't come looking for me again. This time, I won't look back."

Hamilton caught her hand again. "Natalia, do you still love me? You once said you did."

In that bathroom, she had confessed her love for him, tearfully and repeatedly. Natalia lowered her gaze, her heart aching. She had loved him, deeply and painfully, but all she received in return was hurt.

"I don't dare to love anymore," she admitted with a bitter laugh. "Loving you costs too much. I can't afford it."

With that, she walked away, tears streaming down her face as Hamilton watched her go, feeling a deep sense of loss. Yet, he followed her, determined not to let her go so easily.

In the emergency room, Elliott carried Scarlett in, shouting for a doctor. Scarlett, embarrassed by his dramatics, snapped at him to be quiet.

As the doctor treated Scarlett's wound, her fear of pain was evident when the disinfectant made contact. She gripped Elliott's hand tightly, causing him to wince.

"Will it leave a scar?" Scarlett asked worriedly after the treatment.

Elliott teased her about worrying whether Emeric would still want her if she had a scar, prompting Scarlett to push him away.

"You think Emeric is as shallow as you?" she retorted.

Elliott then insisted on a CT scan for her head, showing his concern despite their bickering.

Dragging Scarlett towards the CT room, Elliott couldn't help but throw in, "You know, Emeric is all about looks. The women he hangs out with are all knockouts. Bet you didn't know that."

Scarlett frowned, "Can't you go a day without bad-mouthing Emeric?"

Elliott felt a surge of frustration, "Me, bad-mouthing him?"

Scarlett scoffed, "What else would you call it?"

Then, her temper flared, "And what's this I hear about you messing up my hospital residency application?"

Elliott's heart sank, "I was just trying

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That earned him a swift kick from Scarlett.

"Elliott, are you out of your mind? What have I ever done to you?"

Her shout drew the attention of everyone nearby.

In a hospital where Elliott was well-known, Scarlett's outburst and kick left the onlookers in shock.

Who is this woman? Not only did she berate Elliott Lehner, but she also kicked him?

Elliott quickly pulled Scarlett into an office.

"If you switch to our hospital now, you'll still get a spot."

Scarlett pushed him away, "In your dreams!"

Elliott chuckled, "Well, it was your choice not to pursue the residency."

Scarlett grabbed a mop nearby and swung it at him.

By the time Natalia found Scarlett, her CT scan was done, and she was visibly furious. Meanwhile, Elliott

sported a fresh bruise under his eye.

Natalia glanced at Elliott, then back at Scarlett with concern.

"Are you okay? Anywhere else hurt?"

Scarlett shook her head, "I'm fine. Don't worry."

Relieved, Natalia then turned to Elliott, "What about you? Are you hurt?"

Elliott looked at Scarlett with a mix of frustration and accusation, but she quickly averted her gaze.

"He had it coming," Scarlett stated, her concern shifting back to Natalia. "You're alright, though?"

Her gaze dropped to Natalia's abdomen.

Natalia reassured her, "I'm fine, really."

Scarlett's worry didn't fade, "How did my car's brakes fail all of a sudden?"

It was then Hamilton spoke up, "Someone tampered with your car."