Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton) novel Chapter 104

Hamilton listened as Natalia's voice uttered a casual "okay," but he felt no sense of satisfaction. Still, he didn't press further, squeezing her cheek gently before he planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"Next time something like this happens, don't engage. Just come straight to me, alright?"

Natalia wanted to ask, "Even if I come to you, will you help me?"

However, she held her tongue. Some hopes are better left unvoiced, especially when you know they're unfounded.

"Sure," she replied with an air of indifference.

Hamilton ran his fingers through her hair. "Off you go, and don't work too hard." He paused, then added, "I won't be home for dinner tonight."

She didn't need to ask why; she could guess he needed to play the comforter to his old flame. She felt oddly numb to the news and simply nodded before exiting his office.

After talking to Linda, Natalia threw herself back into the day's tasks.

After work, she made her way to the hospital her mother was in. It had been a while since her last visit. Tatiana lay there as tranquil as ever. Natalia felt she had a lot to say but was at a loss for where to begin.

In the end, she just sat silently by the bed, squeezing Tatiana's hand and whispering, "Mom, please wake up soon, okay?"

The nurse, witnessing the scene, couldn't stop her eyes from watering. The doctors had said the chances of waking were slim, but as long as the family held hope, there was little anyone could do.

"Ms. Jenkins, you've lost a lot of weight recently. You must take care of yourself first," the nurse advised.

Natalia offered a faint smile. "Thank you." She hesitated, then asked, "Has Graham Jenkins been by recently?"

After a confrontation at the hospital, Hamilton had promised to deal with Graham. Since then, there had been silence. She suspected Graham was laying low out of fear of Hamilton, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he might be scheming something new.

"He hasn't been back, but a few days ago, a Ms. Lynd stopped by. I remembered what you told me, so I didn't let her in."

Ms. Lynd... Lucinda Lynd instantly came to Natalia's mind. Her grip tightened involuntarily.

After a moment, she instructed the nurse, "Thank you. Keep it up; no visitors, including Graham."

"Of course."

Natalia spent a little more time with Tatiana before leaving. The evening had crept up on her by the time she stepped out of the hospital. She planned to grab a bite before heading home but was unexpectedly cornered as she left.

Natalia didn't expect to run into Giselle Lynd here. The woman before her was a stark contrast to the one she had seen over two weeks ago; once poised and confident, now haggard and worn.

"Giselle, what is it?" Natalia took the initiative.

Giselle mustered a hollow laugh, her face a canvas of misery. "Natalia, I've come to respect you in a twisted way. I never imagined Hamilton would go so far for you."

Natalia's lips tightened. She had no interest in Giselle's taunts. "If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

She tried to walk away, but Giselle grabbed her arm.

"Natalia, did you know I spent 15 days in the detention center?"

Natalia stiffened; this was news to her. She had thought the incident was settled with a mere apology; she hadn't realized Giselle had actually been locked up.

She scoffed. "So what? Giselle, didn't I warn you? Slander can land you behind bars!"

"It wasn't me who started those rumors online!"