Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Before Natalia could utter a word, the man had already grasped the photograph in his hand. Instinctively, she reached out to snatch it back, but Hamilton sidestepped her attempt. "Give it back to me!"

Hamilton chuckled. "Why? Is there something you're afraid of me seeing?"

As he spoke, his gaze landed on the photo. It captured a little girl standing amidst a field of flowers. The image was somewhat blurred, but one could still make out that the little girl bore a resemblance to Natalia. Her smile was exceptionally bright, and her eyes sparkled with joy.

The photograph was taken by Tatiana at Natalia's request, just when Hamilton was about to leave town. Natalia hadn't managed to give it to him before he departed. And by the time they met again, she was a stranger to him. A pang of bitterness struck Natalia. Reflecting on it now, she and Hamilton, perhaps, were simply not fated to be together.

She reached for the photograph again, only to have Hamilton dodge her once more. Hamilton frowned at the photo, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity, which he ultimately attributed to the field of flowers.

He looked at Natalia. "You like these flowers too?"

He remembered that the last bouquet Ryan had bought was also these flowers. Natalia offered a wry smile. She wasn't surprised in the slightest that Hamilton didn't recognize her. After all, this man had truly forgotten her. How could he possibly remember anything from a mere photograph?

She stood on tiptoe and, with an impassive face, reclaimed the photograph. "I don't like them, just got used to them," she said.

Hamilton raised an eyebrow at her. "Then what do you like?"

"I'd like you to get lost!"

Hamilton snorted in response but said no more. Yet the image of Natalia in the photograph, beaming with uninhibited happiness, lingered in his mind-a version of her he had never seen before.

His gaze fell upon Natalia's face, and after a moment, he reached out to touch her eyes gently. "You must have been quite adorable as a child."

Natalia felt a sharp sting in her heart and briskly brushed his hand away. "Touch me again and see what happens!"

Hamilton laughed quietly, ceasing his teasing. He scanned the room, his eyes finally resting on a pink envelope tucked away in the corner of a bookshelf. He walked over and picked it up. Before he could open it, Natalia was by his side, snatching the envelope away. Hamilton paused abruptly, his expression darkening. "A love letter written to that boy you liked?"

Natalia didn't respond. But Hamilton had already found his answer. He didn't want to admit it, but he was seething with jealousy. Why could this woman harbor feelings for that man for so long? What was so special about him to keep her affection for such an extended period?

"Natalia, you're quite the hopeless romantic," Hamilton said, though his heart felt sour.

Natalia glanced at him and walked away. "Natalia!" Hamilton called after her. "Do you still like him?"

Without turning back, Natalia replied, "I stopped liking him a long time ago. Liking him was the biggest mistake I've made in years."

As Hamilton watched her leave, his expression did not improve. After making another round of the room, seeing no other clues, Natalia decided to leave. Hamilton, with a stern face, followed her out. "Let's have dinner together."

Natalia flatly refused, "No thanks, I lose my appetite looking at you."

Hamilton, exasperated but amused, retorted, "Am I that unpleasant to look at? I may not be a supermodel, but I think I'm at least better looking than Ryan!"

Natalia gave him a look of utter disdain and slipped into her car. Watching her car disappear, Hamilton's brow furrowed involuntarily. Moments later, he reached for his phone and called Alden.

"Check who Natalia had a crush on back in high school."

Alden paused, puzzled. "What? Why do you want to know that, bro?"

Hamilton scoffed, "I just want to see who's got the charm to keep her interested for so long."

As the year drew to a close, Ryan became increasingly busy with visitors from afar, leaving him no time to spare. Natalia was also swamped. Ron Group had just set foot in Silkwood City, and she was hands-on with every aspect of the business. The two could only catch up with each other by phone at night.

One evening, right after work, Natalia received a call. Expecting a client, she was taken aback to hear a strange woman's voice.

"Ms. Jenkins, do you have a moment? We need to talk."

Natalia paused before answering, but then the woman on the other end chuckled. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Ryan's aunt."

After a short silence, Natalia agreed. "Alright, name the place."

The woman gave her an address, and Natalia headed straight there. Upon arrival, she found the café had been reserved entirely. As Natalia approached the entrance, a man in a black suit blocked her way.

"Ms. Jenkins, please leave your phone here."

Natalia's eyebrows knit together in an instant, and she turned to look at the woman inside. After a moment, she laughed lightly. "Why? Am I not allowed to have my phone?"

The man remained as he was. "You can't bring any devices that can take pictures or record."

Natalia's lips tightened. She understood that this meeting was likely intended to put her in her place. She didn't hand over her phone but instead took a step back.

"Ryan is my boyfriend, so I'm willing to treat his aunt with respect. However, if this is how I must meet with family, then I think this visit is unnecessary."

With that, she turned to leave, but at that moment, a woman's voice called from inside. "Let her in."

The bodyguard immediately stepped aside. "Ms. Jenkins, please."

After a brief hesitation, Natalia walked in. The woman, dressed in luxurious attire, sat at a table, stirring her coffee with an air of grace. As Natalia entered the room, she didn't even get a glance from the woman at the desk, who nonchalantly said, "Take a seat, Ms. Jenkins." It was only after Natalia sat down opposite her that the woman lifted her gaze to meet her eyes. After sizing her up, the woman chuckled lightly.

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes? Even prettier than your pictures. No wonder my nephew is head over heels for you."

Natalia caught the mocking undertone in her voice but responded with a chuckle of her own, "You flatter me, and might I add, you're quite the looker yourself."

The woman paused for a moment, then the warmth in her smile gradually iced over.

"Ms. Jenkins, let's not beat around the bush. The reason I'm here is to tell you straight up that you're not good enough for our family. I've had your past dug up-the three years you spent as someone's mistress, the abortion... What gives you the right to be with my nephew?"

Natalia pursed her lips tightly, and after what felt like an eternity, she finally let out a laugh. "Whether I'm worthy or not isn't for you to decide. And frankly, if Ryan hears about this visit, I reckon he won't be too pleased with you."

The woman glared at Natalia, and after a moment, she forced a laugh. "Is this about money? How much do you want? Name your price."

Natalia took a sip from her water glass before setting it down and spoke in a measured tone. "Do you know how much my previous benefactor used to give me?"

The woman was taken aback. "What?"

Natalia looked at her, her voice cold as steel. "What I mean is, I have quite the appetite. It's best you don't try to buy me off because I'm afraid the figure I'd quote is beyond your reach."

"I get your point, loud and clear. If you really want me to leave Ryan, then have him tell me to my face. The moment he says it, I won't cling to him. I have things to do, so if you'll excuse me, I won't stay any longer."

With that, she stood up to leave. The woman called out to her again, staring daggers at her.

"Is that how you show respect to your elders?"

Natalia let out a laugh. "Elders? Ryan and I aren't even official yet. What makes you think you're my elder?"

"Stay right there."

As soon as the woman finished speaking, she threw a stack of photos onto the table.

"Ms. Jenkins, these are pictures of you, aren't they?"

Natalia frowned as she picked up the photos. They were all of her, no mistake about it. From the time she left the police station in Hamilton's arms because of her severe menstrual pain to the moment Hamilton pinned her against his car, and then the images of them entering the Graham residence together. Every single moment had been captured in sharp detail.

"You've had someone tailing me?"