Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Hamilton let out a snort, his eyes glinting with a frost that seemed to spread endlessly.

Was this all a scheme to drive a wedge between him and Natalia?

Alden frowned, "Bro, this has got to be a setup."

Hamilton didn't respond, but his gaze shifted to the firmly shut hospital room door.

Alden was about to say more when Hamilton walked away, leaving behind a command. "Knock on the door, bring her out."

Begrudgingly, Alden went and knocked on the door.

Natalia, surprised to see Alden, hesitated.

"Alden? What are you doing here?"

Alden's expression was grim. "Natalia, can you come out for a sec? We need to talk."

Initially, Natalia wanted to refuse, but she could tell something was off from Alden's demeanor.

She nodded slightly, about to close the door, when Alden added, "And bring Scarlett along." At that, Natalia paused, a bad feeling suddenly washing over her, "Is something wrong?" Alden nodded, "Yeah, but don't panic. Let's talk it over."

Natalia agreed and called for Scarlett.

The trio then headed to a nearby cafe.

Upon entering, Natalia immediately spotted Hamilton, a shadow of gloom on his face. She halted in her tracks.

"Natalia, it's serious this time, I'm not messing around," Alden quickly explained, seeing her reaction.

After a moment, Natalia approached.

"Spill it. What's up?"

Alden relayed the story.

Scarlett's face turned stormy, anger rising swiftly.

"What the hell? Me, paying someone off to take out Eveleen? As if I'd waste my money on that trash. Why would I even bother? Letting her rot in an asylum seems a much sweeter revenge." Alden's eyebrows shot up.

Natalia's lips tightened, her gaze shifting to Hamilton.

Scarlett was oblivious to the previous night's events.

Thus, she naturally thought leaving Eveleen in an asylum was the best punishment.

But Natalia knew better than anyone that Eveleen could cause trouble even from an asylum.

And coincidentally, after her conversation with Hamilton last night, evidence today somehow pointed straight to Scarlett.

After a brief silence, Natalia asked.

"Hamilton, are you suspecting me?"

A flicker of pain crossed Hamilton's eyes.

He suddenly gripped Natalia's hand under the table.

"I knew it. You'd suspect me, Natalia. Is that really what you think of me?"

Natalia understood his implication.

She diverted her gaze, saying, "Scarlett wouldn't do this."

Alden nodded in agreement.

And really, who would be so obvious if they were framing someone? Only a fool couldn't see through this attempt to pin the blame on Scarlett.

The real aim was to make Hamilton doubt Natalia.

Luckily, as things stood, their plan hadn't worked.

He let out a sigh of relief. "Scarlett, can you explain why you transferred that money?"

Scarlett, still visibly angry, got reassurance from Natalia's gentle grasp.

"Don't worry, it'll be okay."

Tears welled up in Scarlett's eyes, her first time being so wrongfully accused.

"I was just helping an old lady at the hospital yesterday. She said she needed to send some money to her daughter urgently but didn't know how. I just helped her out."

As she spoke, tears began to fall.

Alden quickly handed her a tissue.

"Stop crying. We all believe you. Look, my brother hasn't said a thing, right?"

Scarlett glanced at Hamilton, "But he treats Eveleen like a queen."

Seeing Hamilton's mood darkening, she abruptly stopped, ending with, "I didn't do it."

Hamilton gave her a stern look, "Dr. Scarlett, you may leave now."

Alden caught the fleeting look between Hamilton and Natalia, quickly pulling Scarlett away.

"Why are you dragging me? What about Natalia?"

Alden didn't look back, "Natalia might need to discuss how to handle this with my brother."

"Does your brother truly trust Natalia?" Scarlett asked.

"Yeah, he does. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here talking; you'd be at the police station by now."

Scarlett fell silent for a moment, "Guess he's not entirely heartless."

Alden, bemused, "Do you guys always talk about my brother like that?"

Scarlett retorted, "Sometimes I think he's worse than a stray dog, the way he treats Natalia."

After Scarlett and Alden left, Natalia finally spoke up.

"What do you want to say?"

Hamilton, with a conflicted gaze, "Natalia, I don't suspect you, but Scarlett can't clear her name just yet."

Natalia's expression hardened, "Hamilton, you know Scarlett wouldn't-"

"I don't know," Hamilton cut her off sharply. "I don't know Scarlett well enough. And given her fiery temper, who knows what she might do." Natalia was fuming inside.

"So what are you suggesting?"

She scoffed coldly, "Hamilton, as much as Scarlett and I would love to see Eveleen gone, her life isn't worth dirtying our hands over!"

Hamilton's eyes darkened.

"But the suspicion remains."

Natalia choked up.

"I'll clear this up!"

Hamilton looked at her, "How will you do that?" Struggling for composure, Natalia realized her limitations. Hamilton then said, "Natalia, I can help you investigate." Natalia let out a wry smile, "What do you want from me?" Hamilton's gaze was deep and unfathomable.

"Natalia, I just wish you'd be a bit nicer to me, that's all."

Natalia looked at him, and after a long pause, she finally spoke, "And if it turns out to be Eveleen?"

Hamilton's eyes darkened, a cold flash briefly visible before he masked it.

"If it is her, do as you please. I won't interfere on her behalf then."

"You better stick to your word," Natalia said before getting up to leave.

Hamilton caught her hand, "At least have a drink before you go."

Natalia looked at him, picked up the mug of water from the table, and gulped it down in one go.

After finishing, she stood up and left without looking back.

Hamilton watched her leave, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness.

Is this her idea of being nice?

Back at the hospital, Natalia was greeted by Scarlett, who had been waiting for her.

She went over and hugged Scarlett, "Don't worry, everything will be okay."

Scarlett nodded but felt her anger rising the more she thought about it.

"Is it Eveleen? Is she trying to frame you?"

Natalia gave a small laugh, "You and her have no bad blood."

The more Scarlett thought about it, the angrier she got. It would have been one thing if they were targeting her directly.

But no, they had to go through her to get to Natalia!

Just as Natalia was about to say something, Scarlett suddenly grabbed a janitor's bucket next to her and kicked open the door to a hospital room. Before the person inside could react, Scarlett hurled the bucket of water straight at them!