Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton) novel Chapter 126

Watching Hamilton's retreating figure, Eveleen's face instantly descended into a frown.

Victor clicked his tongue in disapproval.

Alden chuckled lightly. "What's the matter? Are you jealous?"

Victor laughed. "Alden, what favor on earth has that woman done for you to have you in her corner like this?"

Alden's laughter was soft. "No favors. I just think she's meant to be my sister-in-law, that's all."

At those words, Eveleen's expression turned as sour as vinegar.

"Alden, there's no chance for your brother and Natalia. With her background, she's hardly a match for the prestigious Fowler family."

Alden shook his head. "Ms. Schafer, my brother's marital affairs have never been under the Fowler family's thumb. Otherwise, the last engagement party wouldn't have been called off so abruptly, right?"

The mention of the last engagement made Eveleen seethe with resentment, but Alden wasn't done stirring the pot.

"Besides, some people claim they'd never return unless my brother begged them to. So, what brings you back now?"

Eveleen was livid, unused to such treatment.

In this circle, she was always the one doted upon.

In an instant, tears welled up in her eyes. She shot Alden a glare and stood up, walking out of the room.

After her shower, Natalia felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

Probably caught a chill from the breeze earlier, she mused with a wry smile. Her health had truly declined since the miscarriage.

She drank a glass of hot water, preparing to lie down when her phone suddenly rang.

Hesitating for a few seconds, she answered. "Mr. Fowler."

Hamilton grunted in acknowledgment, his silence stretching before he asked, "You went to River State?"

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Natalia watched the winter drizzle outside with the occasional burst of fireworks in the distance. She took a moment before replying, "Scarlett's choice."

"Call me when you're back; I'll pick you up from the airport."

Natalia's grip on the phone tightened. She wanted to thank him. After all, she owed him for the incident with Gideon.

But before she could speak, she heard Eveleen's voice over the phone. "Hamilton, they're all against me."

Instantly, the words she meant to say retreated back down her throat.

"No need, I can take a cab," she said.

Hamilton seemed to scoff. "Natalia, remember our agreement isn't over yet."

With that, he hung up.

Natalia stared at the darkened phone screen, her feelings a tangled mess.

Probably just discomfort, she reckoned. But it seemed only discomfort remained.

She sniffled, forcing herself to sleep.

In the middle of the night, Natalia developed a fever. Her body burned as if aflame. She instinctively reached out for the empty space beside her, only then remembering she was alone in River State.

After calling for room service to bring over some basic medicine, she took it and went back to bed.

In the morning, groggy and disoriented, she answered another call from Hamilton. His voice carried the chill of deep winter.

"Weren't you supposed to be traveling with Scarlett? Why is she still in Silkwood City?"

Natalia mustered up her energy to explain, "She was called in for work at the last minute, so I came alone."

After speaking, she burst into a fit of coughing.

When the cough subsided, Hamilton asked, "Caught a cold? River State is colder than Silkwood City. What are you wearing?"

Natalia bit her lip. "I dressed warmly, but maybe I'm just not as resilient anymore."

"Did you take medicine?"

"Yes."

Hamilton made a noise of acknowledgment, then after a moment, asked, "When will you be back?"

"I'm not sure yet. Mr. Fowler, is there anything else? If not, I'd like to get some more sleep."

Hamilton detected the impatience in her voice.

His expression soured. But ultimately, he didn't argue with a sick person.

"Just rest well."

"Alright," Natalia responded and hung up.

Looking at her disconnected call, Hamilton immediately dialed Linda, "Book me the next flight to River State."

The rain in River State continued, a persistent drizzle that was especially chilling.

Hamilton came alone without a driver or bodyguard, taking a taxi straight to the hotel after landing.

Natalia fell back asleep after hanging up.

When she heard a knock at the door, she assumed it was room service. But to her shock, opening the door revealed Hamilton standing there.

His tall frame was wrapped in a black overcoat, making him appear even more handsome, with droplets of water clinging to his dark hair, accentuating his austere demeanor.

Natalia pursed her lips, offering no reply.

But she knew, in her heart, she felt a slight thaw because Hamilton had come all this way for her.

By the time the IV was done, it was nearly midday.

The rain had finally stopped outside, but the damp, chilly air remained uncomfortable.

Back at the hotel, Hamilton asked, “Want to take a shower?”

Natalia nodded. After sweating throughout the previous night, she really did want to clean up.

Hamilton cranked up the room's heater to the max.

When Natalia emerged from the shower, he had a hairdryer ready. She looked at him and obediently took a seat.

“I booked a ticket for early tomorrow morning. The weather here is too cold, and you’re not well. If you want to visit again, it’s better to wait until it warms up.”

Natalia had actually wanted to go out and explore, but she was well aware of her physical condition.

Without saying much, she simply replied, “Okay.”

Once her hair was dried, Hamilton lifted her onto the bed.

The man followed, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

“Get some more sleep.”

Natalia wasn’t really sleepy; ever since Hamilton arrived, her heart had been in turmoil.

His far-off care touched her despite knowing that his tenderness might still be just an act of charity.

Yet, faced with Hamilton, her resolve softened.

“Thank you, Hamilton,” she whispered.

Hamilton let out a light laugh, pulling her closer into his embrace. “If you really want to thank me, just be good and sleep. I don’t want to tire you out, but you should be able to feel it.”

Natalia did indeed feel it; she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

Hamilton chuckled softly, pressing her against his chest. “And about that Scarlett , with all the places to travel, she had to pick River State.”

The corner of Natalia’s lips twitched, and after a hesitation, she asked. “Don’t you like River State?”

Hamilton was silent for a moment, “It’s not about liking or disliking it.”

Natalia said, “I thought you came here to study because you liked it here.”

Hamilton’s brow furrowed slightly, pulling her closer into his arms. “Natalia, if you don’t want to sleep, we could find something else to do.”