Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Hamilton's heart was tinged with bitterness.

It seemed this woman had never truly believed he could keep her safe.

He couldn't blame anyone but himself for that.

When they had reconciled, he had promised her that she would never come to harm again.

Yet, in the end, he had still caused her pain.

But the thought of letting her go was something he couldn't bear.

His woman, his child-how could he possibly stand by and watch them leave?

He wasn't naive enough to believe that if he let her go, she would return once the child was older.

She probably hadn't fully forgiven him yet. Her current amiability likely stemmed only from the fact that he was the father of her child.

If he truly let her go this time, she might never come back.noveldrama

"Ms. Jenkins, can't you spare a little pity for me? If you and the kid leave, what's left for me? A lonely man with no purpose?"

Natalia wanted to say something, but looking at the man before her, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to do it.

Besides, leaving wasn't as easy as just saying it.

Her current position, unless for an international assignment, required layers of approval to leave the country, and even then, she would be under surveillance.

But there had been no news of an assignment.

International travel approvals were never easy to come by.

She quietly watched out the window, her mind haunted by the venomous gaze of that bastard son.

With Delilah, she could try to avoid him, but that man's mere look truly frightened her.

She had experienced his malicious schemes and been hurt by them.

She didn't want to go through it again.

She could handle being on her own, even if it meant avenging her mother, she wouldn't just leave.

But she couldn't ignore the child within her.

Hamilton's fingers gently caressed her cheek.

Natalia, irritated, swatted his hand away.

His gruff demeanor somehow lifted Hamilton's spirits.

He held her hand, his palm resting on her stomach.

"Can I come over tonight and tell her a story?"

Natalia pushed him away and got out of the car.

"There's no need."

But when Hamilton showed up with a storybook that evening, Natalia didn't refuse.

She could already feel the distinct movements of the baby.

Every time Hamilton touched her stomach or pretended to engage in prenatal education, just as an excuse to be close, the baby seemed especially active.

Sometimes Natalia thought, maybe it's because they share the same blood.

She needs her father, too.

Natalia, dressed in a loose nightgown, was sitting on the bed, holding an English novel.

Hamilton walked over and embraced her.

"What story does she want to hear today?"

Natalia glanced at the collection of fairy tales in his hand and after a while said, "She can't really understand any of it. She just likes hearing your voice."

Hamilton looked at Natalia. "Then, can I read to you? Like back in River State when you used to read to me."

After a brief silence, Natalia pushed him away, "Just read to the child."

Hamilton lay beside her, taking the English novel from her hands.

"Close your eyes and rest for a bit. I'll read to both of you."

Natalia didn't refuse again. She lay down, and Hamilton drew her into his embrace.

The deep, fluid English that came from Hamilton's mouth had a unique charm.

Despite herself, Natalia couldn't help but open her eyes.

Her gaze rested on the man's cheeks.

Fresh from the shower, his hair slightly damp, falling across his forehead, he looked much softer.

Hamilton was handsome.

Natalia remembered thinking how attractive this young man was when she first saw him.

And then, she couldn't look away, leading to years of entanglement.

Hamilton had stopped reading at some point.

Their eyes met, his seemingly filled with a fiery passion.

"Natalia, looking at me like that will make me think you want something."

Natalia kicked him away, averting her gaze, "Go back to sleep."

But Hamilton wasn't willing to let her go.

He gripped her chin and kissed her.

The air seemed to heat up at that moment.

"Hamilton!" Natalia was afraid he'd hurt the baby.

Hamilton hummed, his kisses trailing down her neck to her collarbone.

He had always loved kissing her there, now lingering even longer.

Then he began to move slowly downwards.

His long fingers unbuttoned her nightgown, and in a low voice, he asked, "Do you want it?"

Natalia kicked him, "No."

But Hamilton laughed, "I feel like you do, Natalia. Every time you get aroused,

your eyes turn pink, just like now. Do you want me, too?"

"I'm worried you'll hurt the baby!" Natalia glared at the man on top of her.

Hamilton held her waist, his kiss descending once more.

But this time, he only kissed her stomach.

The warm touch made Natalia stiffen momentarily.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt her. You two are my life now."

It took a while for Natalia to push him away, "Go back to sleep."

Hamilton shamelessly replied, "The nanny is old. If I go back now, I'll disturb her sleep. So, I'm staying here tonight."

"How can you even say that with a straight face?"

Hamilton chuckled, "As long as I can stay the night, I couldn't care less about my

pride."

After kissing Natalia lightly on the lips, he headed to the bathroom.

Natalia didn't say anything more.

Hamilton had been shamelessly spending nights here now and then.

She hadn't always driven him away, and he had been relatively well-behaved.

Leaning against the bed, listening to the water running in the bathroom, she hesitated for a moment before pulling out her phone and calling Alden.

"Natalia?"

After a moment of silence, Natalia spoke, "Alden, what's the situation with the Fowler family now? What's the deal with that bastard son?"

Alden hadn't expected her to ask about this.

But he quickly filled Natalia in.

"Spencer is the son my great uncle had on the sly, we all were in the dark about it until recently. This time, grandpa decided to bring my uncle back into the fold, and out of the blue, he shows up with Spencer in tow."

Natalia pursed her lips, thinking for a moment before asking, "Is your brother in

any danger?"

Alden let out a chuckle.

"Don't worry, my brother will be fine. Grandpa only brought my uncle back to try and shake him up a bit. Besides, my brother has The Fowler Group firmly in his grip. Even if they have ambitions, they won't be able to make much of a splash."

He paused for a moment.

"But we do need to keep an eye on

that Spencer. I've looked into his past, and he's the kind of guy who'll do anything to get what he wants. I'm just worried he'll try to get to my brother through you."

Natalia's fingers tightened slightly.

"Alright, I understand. I'll be careful."

After hanging up the phone, she found herself staring blankly at the bathroom

door.

After a while, she dialed Dawson.

"Senator Dawson, is there any chance my assignment abroad might come

through soon?"