Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 100

From the dead of night until the first light of dawn. Hamilton had worn Natalia out until she was utterby exhausted before finally letting her rest.

“Sleep now.” With her eyes closed. Natalia quickly succumbed to sleep.

Glancing at the clock, Hamilton noticed it was already past ten in the morning. He grabbed his phone and stepped out of the bedroom to call Casplan.

“| won't make it today. I’ll drop by some other time.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Caspian felt a tinge of disappointment upon hearing Hamilton wouldn't be coming. He had hoped to see Natalia again. “What about Ms. Jenkins?”

Hamilton’s brow arched sharply, and a light chuckle escaped him. “Are you perhaps a tad too interested in her?* Caspian let out a wry laugh. “Are you sure you're not the one smitten with her?”

Without responding, Hamilton lit a cigarette. The word ‘smitten‘ would never fit into what he felt for Natalia. He admitted to a somewhat twisted possessiveness over her, but he figured that was just a man’s nature.

“Is there anything else? If not, I’m hanging up.”

“Wait, wait,” Caspian quickly added, “Don’t get the wrong idea. | have no other intentions toward Ms. Jenkins. It’s just that Bianca suddenly noticed yesterday that Ms. Jenkins bears some resemblance to my sister, so | thought | should ask.”

Hamilton’s brows knitted together. “Are you certain?”

“Positive,” Caspian confirmed. “I might not notice these things, but Bianca’s a photographer with an eye for detail. We compared photos of Ms. Jenkins with my sister’s, and there’s a definite likeness.”

Hamilton's gaze lingered on the peacefully sleeping Natalla. After a moment, he said, “There are many people who look alike.”

“| know, but it's worth asking, right? What if we miss something?” Caspian paused, “Do you know Ms. Jenkins‘ mother’s maiden name?”

Hamilton frowned slightly. He really didn’t know. All he knew was that Natalia’s mother had been in a serious car accident and was hospitalized. Beyond that, he was clueless.

“I'll ask her when she wakes up.”

12:00

Caspian nodded. “Oh, she’s still asleep? Hamilton, aren’t you being a bit of a cad?”

Hamilton snorted and ended the call.

Staring at the disconnected phone, Caspian clicked his tongue.

Bianca looked on, curious. “How did it go?”

Caspian shook his head. “Ms. Jenkins is still resting, and Hamilton is clueless. I'll try reaching out to Ms. Jenkins later.” Bianca nodded in understanding.

Caspian’s expression grew more troubled. He wasn’t sure if Natalia was related to his sister. but if she were, he certainly wouldn't allow his niece to continue this ambiguous relationship with Hamilton.

He had known Hamilton since childhood and understood his temperament better than most. However, he didn’t find Hamilton to be a man worthy of trust. The man was exceptionally outstanding, even among the elite, but too cold and detached. Any woman involved with him was unlikely to have a happy ending.

Caspian’s face grew more somber, and then he shook his head, feeling he was overthinking. He didn’t even know if his sister was dead or alive, and here he was, worrying about his potential

niece.

All he could hope for now was that his sister was still alive. Beyond that, he dared not even wish. When Natalia finally awoke, it was already four in the afternoon.

Hamilton was on a call but turned to her as he heard her stir and quickly wrapped up the conversation. “Hungry?” He asked.

Natalia nodded. She was indeed hungry. Last night's meal had left her feeling unwell, and she hadn't eaten anything all day. “Get up. I'll take you out for a meal.”

“| don’t want to move. Can we just order in?”

Hamilton let out a soft laugh. “You've slept this long, and you're still not recovered?”

Natalia pursed her lips. “Well, it was quite a long shift of labor.”

He chuckled, tossing clothes her way. “Get up and get some circulation going.”

While helping her dress, he casually mentioned, “Ms. Jenkins, you’re from Boria University, right? Take me for a tour around Boria University.”

Natalia frowned slightly. “Why do you want to go to Boria University all of a sudden?”

12-01

Tiaminton met her gaze. “Can’t | be interested in learning more about you?”

She couldn't aroque, and she knew Hamilton wouldn’t accept a rebuttal anyway. Thus, she braced her sore body and dressed, After they had dinner and made their way to Boria University, the day had already turned to evening.

When they arrived, the campus was blanketed in twilight, Couples and students were heading to study sessions, strolling the paths, or participating in various activities,

Walking with Hamilton through the campus, Natalia was reminded of a time when she had hoped to run into him here, in some quiet corner. To increase the minuscule chances of such an encounter, she had taken the longest routes to her classes every day. But it never happened.

*Hamilton, where did you go to college?” She suddenly asked.

“At River State.”

Natalia stopped in her tracks, stunned. She had assumed Hamilton's college years were spent abroad, not at River State. River State — the small fishing village where they had both lived was in River State.

Her lips quivered slightly. “Why... why River State for college?”

Hamilton’s expression remained neutral as if discussing something trivial. “Felt like it.”

Just three words, nothing more.

Natalia eyed him curiously, “Why, though?”

Hamilton fell silent for a moment. “Sometimes, there’s no why to it,” he finally said.

Sensing his reluctance to elaborate, Natalia didn’t press further. She also didn’t let herself get carried away with any more wishful thinking.

As they strolled along the quaint paths winding through the university campus, a chill crept up on Natalia, and she found herself craving a warm cup of hot chocolate.

Instead of heading to the nearest café, Hamilton unwrapped his own scarf and draped it around her neck. The scent of sandalwood and a hint of his cologne enveloped her in a comforting warmth.

Natalia froze mid-step.

“Can't you dress warmer if you're always this cold?” Hamilton chided, his voice carrying a note of concern. She adjusted the scarf and muttered a small “Thanks.”

Hamilton just glanced at her and said nothing more.

12-01

They were about to head back when Caspian appeared before them. Clad in a sharp black overcoat, he seemed more formidable than before.

“Here for class?” Hamilton inquired.

Only then did Natalia learn that Caspian was now a professor in the Law School at Boria University.

Caspian nodded in acknowledgment and then turned his attention to Natalia.

“Ms. Jenkins, we meet again.”

Natalia offered Caspian a polite smile. “Mr. Spiegel, what a coincidence.”

Caspian nodded. “We’ve got some time. How about we sit down for a chat?”

Unsure of his intentions but noticing Hamilton’s lack of objection, Natalia agreed without protest.

The trio entered a cozy coffee shop nearby.

Once seated, Caspian’s gaze fixed upon Natalia’s face. He hadn’t noticed before, but now, the resemblance seemed striking.

After a thoughtful pause, he chose his words carefully. “Ms. Jenkins, would you mind if | asked about your mother?”