Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Hamilton nodded, "Call me if you need anything."

Natalia smiled in response.

However, as she walked out of the hospital room, the smile gradually faded from her face.

It wasn't surprising that Hamilton didn't want her to meet his family.

He was a firm believer in staying single, something she had always known.

But what about her?

Could she really follow him for the rest of her life without any formal recognition?

She sighed softly, trying to gather her scattered thoughts as she walked back.

Alden followed closely behind.

"Natalia, don't overthink it," he said.

Natalia managed a smile, "Yeah, I'm fine. You go back and take care of your brother."

Alden frowned, "Are you sure you're okay?"

Natalia looked down, "I'm fine. It's not like my relationship with your brother has reached the meeting the parents stage yet."

Alden wanted to say more, but Natalia had already turned and left.

He sighed, feeling helpless.

He had been looking forward to seeing some signs of reconciliation between the two, but then his grandfather had to come and throw a wrench in the works. Thinking about it gave Alden a headache.

As Natalia reached the elevator, the doors opened.

Out stepped several men in black suits, followed by an imposing elderly man.

The old man was dressed in a sharp suit, cane in hand.

She had seen this man numerous times in the news.

Westley, always Westley.

And by Westley's side was a woman.

She appeared to be in her mid-twenties, beautiful and elegant, standing next to Westley with a certain intimacy.

"Westley, do you think Hamilton will like me in this outfit?" she asked.

Westley's eyes were full of indulgence, "If he dares to say he doesn't like it, I'll have words with him!"

The woman's smile was sweet, "Oh, don't be too hard on him. I wouldn't want you to do that."

Natalia stood to the side, unsure how to react.

Westley's sharp gaze suddenly landed on her.

With scrutiny and an unmistakable disdain that he made no effort to hide.

Natalia stood tall, forcing herself to maintain composure.

Just as she was about to turn away, the woman by Westley's side stopped in front of her.

"Ms. Jenkins, right? I've heard about you. I'm Delilah, nice to meet you."

After saying this, Delilah extended her hand.

Natalia forced a smile.

Before she could respond, a derisive laugh echoed from down the hall. "Delilah sure knows how to make friends, greeting just about anyone."

Hamilton, looking pale and shadowed, was sitting in a wheelchair.

Delilah glared at Hamilton, "Since when do you get to dictate who I befriend, Hamilton?"

Then, turning to Natalia, "Ms. Jenkins, don't you think he's being a bit too controlling?"

Natalia chuckled, "Sorry, Delilah, I've got things to do. Excuse me."

With that, she turned and left.

In the hallway, Westley watched Natalia's retreating figure, his eyes cold.

Delilah, seemingly unfazed by the snub, approached Hamilton, "Hamilton, are you snubbing me for her?"

Hamilton's expression was icy, "I never made plans with Delilah. Whoever made plans with you, that's who you should be talking to." Delilah's face flushed with embarrassment.

Westley was furious, but he restrained himself from causing a scene in the hallway.

Instead, he huffed and walked towards the hospital room at the end of the corridor with his cane.

Back in her room, Natalia felt like she was only just coming back to herself.

Scarlett came in, carrying two breakfast platters.

"What's wrong? You look upset. Is Hamilton seriously hurt?"

Natalia smiled, "No, it was minimally invasive surgery. Nothing too serious."

"What's bothering you then?"

Natalia sighed, suddenly feeling a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Scarlett, do you think some people are just destined to be star-crossed?"

Scarlett paused, confused. Everything seemed fine when they left, so what happened in the meantime?

"What exactly happened? Did something go wrong with Hamilton again?"

Natalia was at a loss for words.

Should she say the Fowler family didn't like her?

Or that the Fowler family had already arranged a marriage for him?

Their relationship hadn't even reached that stage yet.

But the courage she had mustered seemed to have nowhere to land.

"It's nothing. The doctor should be done with rounds by now. I'll go check."

With that, she headed out, leaving Scarlett looking worried.

Outside the ICU, Natalia waited until the doctor finally emerged from an examination.

Seeing Natalia, he hesitated a moment.

"Ms. Jenkins, let's talk in my office."

A heavy feeling settled in Natalia's stomach.

Her fingers tensed at her sides as she followed the doctor into his office.

After a moment of silence, the doctor spoke.

"Your mother's condition isn't good."

Natalia felt like she was plummeting.

"What do you mean 'not good"?"

The doctor sighed, "When she first woke up, I told you about the multiple organ failures. She needs to be extremely careful."

"But after her fall on the rehabilitation equipment and being injected with a large dose of sedative, which would be overwhelming for anyone, let alone someone in your mother's condition..."

"Even though we've performed dialysis, the organ failure is still worsening. Ms. Jenkins, I'm afraid you should prepare yourself. We're doing all we can to sustain her, but the chances of a miracle are slim." Listening, Natalia felt numb, as if the world was collapsing around her.

After a great pain, came numbness.

She thought she had weathered the storm.

She really did give it her all.

But it seemed like fate just had it out for her.

Just when victory seemed to be in her grasp, it was cruelly snatched away once more.

That was the case for Tatiana.

And it seemed, for Hamilton too.

Natalia couldn't recall how she managed to leave the doctor's office, nor how she found her way back to the hospital room.

All she knew was that upon her return, her heart felt utterly hollow.

Scarlett, upon hearing about Tatiana's condition, was deeply distressed. She wanted to offer some comfort but found herself at a loss for words.

It was only then that she realized Natalia hadn't shed a single tear.

Suddenly overwhelmed with empathy, she said, "If you're hurting, it's okay to cry."

Natalia shook her head, even managing a small smile.

"No, Scarlett, do you know? Right now, I feel like if I were to die this very second, I could face it with calm and serenity."

Scarlett felt a sharp pang in her heart and slapped Natalia gently on the back.

"What are you talking about? Don't say things like that!"

Natalia chuckled, choosing not to say more.

After spending a little more time with her, Scarlett had to leave due to hospital duties.

Natalia sat in the hospital room, her mind seemingly empty, yet filled with endless thoughts.

After what felt like an eternity, the door to the room was suddenly pushed open.

She looked up in a daze.

There was Hamilton, sitting in a wheelchair, gazing at her.

For a moment, Natalia yearned to rush into his arms.

But she restrained herself.

Hamilton let out a soft sigh.

In a low voice, he said, "Natalia, come here."