Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Hamilton squinted his eyes, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. After a long, tense moment, he snorted with derision.

"What the hell does my business with Natalia have to do with you?"

The air crackled with the threat of confrontation. Natalia quickly stepped in front of Ryan.

"Hey, Ryan, why don't you head back to the car?"

Ryan's brow furrowed deeply, and before he could argue, Natalia was already pulling him towards their vehicle. Once Ryan was safely in the car, Natalia turned back to face Hamilton. "How much do you want? Two hundred's not enough? How about two thousand? Or maybe twenty grand?"

Hamilton's temples throbbed with suppressed anger.

"Nat, do you really think I'm after your money? Or that I need your pity cash?"

Natalia's lips tightened. "Hamilton, I'll clear your name from my blacklist. Just tell me how much your medical bills are, and I'll wire you the money."

With that, she turned and walked back to the car. Hamilton made to follow, but a car suddenly pulled up in front of him. Caspian stepped out and his gaze landed on Natalia.

"You're not looking so great. Go home and get some rest, I've got this."

Natalia nodded, a simple "thanks" to Caspian, and got into the car. As the vehicle pulled away, Hamilton's gaze turned frosty. But there was a silver lining-Natalia was dealing with her monthly visitor. With that thought, Hamilton's mood lightened ever so slightly. Caspian raised an eyebrow. "Want me to help you with that cut?"

Hamilton shot him a look and without a word, got into his own car. He didn't go home, nor did he head to the office. Instead, he drove straight to a bar. Upon entering, he sat down without uttering a word and started to drown his frustrations in drink. Meanwhile, back in the car... The atmosphere felt unusually tense to Natalia.

"Sorry," she murmured after a while.

Ryan chuckled lightly. "What are you apologizing for? If anyone should be saying sorry, it's that jerk Hamilton."

Natalia massaged her temples. "But it's because of me you keep getting hassled, Ryan. You shouldn't have to deal with this." And you shouldn't have to be bullied by Hamilton, again and again. Her guilt grew heavier.

Ryan understood what she meant. But the more she felt guilty, the more it meant she didn't really see him as one of her own. He sighed softly.

"Natalia, we're a couple. We're supposed to share the load, right?"

Natalia frowned slightly, then offered a wry smile. "Don't you feel slighted?"

Ryan took her hand gently. "No, being with you is all that matters. I don't feel slighted at all."

Looking at him, Natalia's lips curved into a small smile. "Thank you, Ryan."

He ruffled her hair affectionately. "From now on, no more silly thoughts, okay? As long as we're together, nothing else matters. And as for Hamilton, he'll give up eventually." Natalia laughed lightly and nodded. Yeah, in time, he surely would give up.

Scarlett was on the night shift, and Ryan stayed at Natalia's house well past midnight, showing no signs of leaving. Natalia could tell he wanted to stay over.

"Ryan, you take my room. I'll crash in Scarlett's."

But Ryan caught her hand. "Natalia, can I kiss you?"

She paused, taken aback. After a moment, she nodded. Just as Ryan leaned in, Natalia's phone rang. Smiling awkwardly at Ryan, she said, "Excuse me, I need to take this." Ryan tried to hide his disappointment with a smile. "Sure."

Natalia glanced at the caller ID and felt a jolt of irritation. Still, she answered.

"What's up?"

"Hello, are you this gentleman's girlfriend? He's drunk and needs someone to pick him up. Could you come?"

Natalia hesitated. Then firmly replied, "Sorry, you've got the wrong number. I don't know the guy."

"That's impossible! Your name is the first one in his phone, and he's been calling for you even while drunk. You're telling me you don't know him?"

Natalia's lips pressed together. After a long pause, she said, "Sorry, I really don't know him. Try calling Alden; he'll pick him up."

With that, she hung up. Ryan watched her, a question in his eyes.

"Hamilton?"

She nodded. "Sleep well, Ryan."

Ryan bit his lip. He had wanted to pick up where they left off, but she clearly wasn't in the mood anymore.

"Goodnight, Natalia. If you feel unwell, wake me up."

"Will do."

Back at the bar. The bartender hung up the phone and turned to the man beside him. Hamilton was drunk, but not to the point of losing his senses. He had thought the alcohol would ease his pain, but it only made him feel worse. So much worse that his eyes stung with unshed tears. Once upon a time, Natalia would have rushed to pick him up no matter the hour. But now, she had left him to fend for himself.

Hamilton didn't call her again. Having just been removed from the blacklist, he wasn't keen on being added once more. He found a rideshare and headed to his condo. The housekeeper was taken aback by the wound on his forehead.

"Sir, what happened to you?"

Hamilton raised an eyebrow, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "A love tap from Ms. Jenkins."

The housekeeper blinked. "Did you two have a fight?"

Hamilton lit a cigarette. "Don't worry, I'd never lay a hand on her."

The housekeeper, now slightly bolder, quickly fetched a first aid kit.

"Mr. Fowler, did you and Ms. Jenkins break up?"

Hamilton's eyelid twitched violently. His gaze turned dark and stormy. "Who said that?"

The housekeeper met his gaze. "But I heard Ms. Jenkins has moved on!"

Hamilton's expression darkened further. "They're heading for splitsville, mark my words!"

The housekeeper pursed her lips with a hint of contempt. Wasn't it just a case of someone's eye wandering?

After a couple of days off, Natalia finally felt a bit more like herself. Ryan had stayed by her side for a day, but then work called, and he had to leave. The case involving Graham was stuck, no significant leads or breakthroughs. During her downtime, Natalia picked up a new car. Not too pricey, but it had enough of a shine to make a statement. She made the down payment, planning to handle the loan payments bit by bit.

Even though Ron Group hadn't had its grand opening yet, Natalia was already getting into the swing of things at work. On her first day, Mason made a point of dropping by her office for a quick meet and greet. As he was about to leave, something seemed to cross his mind.

"Ms. Jenkins, I heard there was an incident involving your father?"

There was a flicker in Natalia's eyes. "Yes."

Mason's brow furrowed slightly. "An accident?"

She shook her head. "The police are still investigating."

Mason nodded, not prying any further.

"Take care of yourself. And remember, you can take a few more days off if you need to."

Natalia offered a small smile. "Thank you for your concern, President Joyner."

Mason's sympathy was pretty standard, nothing out of the ordinary. Natalia didn't dwell on it. Just as she was about to clock out for the day, her phone rang. It was Hamilton.

"Natalia, there's been a development in Graham's case. Someone's come forward to confess."