Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton) novel Chapter 135

Hamilton knew, deep down, that saying sorry was useless right now, but that seemed to be all he could offer.

Eveleen had been his saving grace. No one knew the ordeals he had faced when he arrived at that quaint fishing town—how he had brushed with death more than once. The first few times at the hands of his mother, and then later, by his own hand.

It was only in that serene hamlet by the sea that a flicker of desire to live sparked within him.

Though the details of his past had blurred through therapy, the name "Evi" was etched in his mind like a sacred incantation.

She was his redemption.

In such a state, he couldn't just abandon Eveleen. Yet he hadn't anticipated dragging Natalia into such peril.

Hamilton gripped Natalia's hand, his gaze falling upon her pale, fragile face, feeling a weight in his chest that made it hard to breathe.

Every time he blinked, he saw her lifeless body sprawled on the jagged rocks.

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, they were drained of emotion. His long fingers traced the wet trail on her cheek.

In a hushed voice, he said, "Natalia, don't be scared. I'm here."

It took a while, but Natalia finally calmed down.

Hamilton fetched a warm towel and gently wiped her face. His movements halted as he dabbed her hands; the wounds were still there, even if the dislocated wrist had been attached.

Carefully avoiding the cuts, he finished and tucked her hand beneath the blanket before standing up and stepping outside.

Alden was waiting at the door.

"Did you find Orpheus?" Hamilton asked, his voice low.

Alden shook his head. "He's hiding out somewhere, the bold bastard. To think he'd abduct Ms. Jenkins in broad daylight! If it weren't for Ryan and Dawson, Ms. Jenkins might've been out of luck."

Hamilton let out a bitter laugh. "If they hadn't intervened, Natalia wouldn't have been in danger."

Alden paused, considering Hamilton's implication.

Without Ryan and Dawson's presence, Orpheus would have had to contact Hamilton, who would have surely found a way to keep Natalia safe.

"But they just wanted to save Ms. Jenkins. Who knew the situation would push a desperate man to the edge?"

Hamilton took a cigarette from Alden and lit it before replying, "That's why I'm not holding a grudge against them."

Alden's lips moved, but he seemed lost for words. "And Orpheus?"

A flash of steely resolve crossed Hamilton's eyes. "Keep looking. Bring him to me when you find him."

"Alright." After a deep breath, Alden carefully broached another subject. "Bro, can you and Ms. Jenkins make it right?"

He had a feeling that their relationship might have reached a point of no return.

Hamilton's indifference was evident. "Why not?"

As long as he refused to let go, she couldn't leave. And he had no intention of letting her slip away.

Alden frowned, troubled. "Bro, you never really liked Eveleen, did you? It's always been Ms. Jenkins. Otherwise, you wouldn't cling to this point."

The ferocity in Hamilton's eyes when Ryan had carried Natalia away was something Alden had never seen before.

Just a simple embrace. If there were no feelings involved, why would Hamilton care so much?

At that moment, Alden even saw panic in his brother's eyes—the kind of panic that comes from fearing the loss of someone dear.

Hamilton took a drag on his cigarette and, without answering, simply stated, "Alden, I won't get attached to anyone."

After snuffing out his cigarette, he turned back into the hospital room.

Ryan had come by a few times, initially intending to talk to Hamilton, but he eventually felt it wasn't his place to meddle in their affairs.

With Natalia still unconscious, any conversation with Hamilton would be incomplete without considering her feelings.

So, he let it be.