Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 44

Chapter 44 The cries had persisted in the room without pause. Hamilton stood by the doorway, his posture unchanged throughout the ordeal.

It was only when the weeping inside finally ceased that he glanced down at the cigarette in his hand. He tossed the crumpled stick into the trash and pulled out a fresh one, heading towards the smoking area.

Scarlett came by after her shift ended. Natalia lay alone on the hospital bed, the remnants of tears still glistening at the corners of her eyes.

Scarlett mustered a forced smile. “You know, maybe it’s for the best. If you had to care for your mom and a baby all by yourself, it would've been too much.”

Natalia seemed to summon every ounce of strength not to cry. She nodded slightly and said, “Yeah, | know.”

How could she not be aware of her own situation? Maybe losing the baby was a blessing in disguise. Otherwise, the child would have just shared in her hardships.

Yet, her heart was still irrepressibly aching. Seeing Natalia like this, Scarlett quickly changed the subject, “Hungry? Want me to grab you something to eat?” Natalia shook her head. “I’m not hungry. How long do | need to stay in the hospital?”

“Just overnight for observation. If all feels well, you can be discharged in the morning. How about staying at my place after? | can take care of you during your recovery.”

“Sure.”

Natalia wasn’t in the mood for comforting words, and thankfully, Scarlett didn’t offer any. Scarlett tucked the blankets around her. “How did this happen so suddenly? Weren't you fine when you called earlier?” Scarlett asked, her voice tinged with emotion.

Even she was struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of the child, let alone Natalia. Natalia stared at the ceiling. After a long silence, she murmured, “I was pushed down the stairs and fell.” Scarlett stared blankly and asked, “Pushed? By who? | thought maybe it was Hamilton...” She paused, biting her lip.

Natalia shook her head, a bitter taste in her mouth. “It wasn’t him.” She thought of the fan’s father who was responsible and felt unsure whom to blame.

“Let's not talk about this anymore.” When Scarlett saw Natalia’s reaction, she swiftly shifted 4/4

the conversation.

Moments later, the door opened. Hamilton entered, carrying a thermos.

Scarlett’s discomfort was palpable upon seeing him. She stood up promptly and said to Natalia, “Til head out. I'll come by early tomorrow to check on you.”

Natalia nodded. Scarlett gave Hamilton a glance, wanting to say something, but ultimately, she left without word.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Hamilton placed the thermos on the nightstand and took out a wet wipe. He gently took Natalia’s hand and began to clean it with care.

“| can do it myself,” Natalia said, feeling uneasy.

In the three years she had been with Hamilton, he had never tended to her in such a manner. Now, his attention felt unnecessary.

Hamilton looked up at her, but his hands continued their task.

“Hamilton, | just had a miscarriage. I’m not disabled.”

Hamilton chuckled softly, “And then what? Let your friend call me a jerk again? Have her publicly tell me to get a vasectomy?” His expression darkened despite the smile, anger clearly etched on his face.

Natalia’s lips quivered, surprised that Scarlett had gone to such lengths. “She’s just straightforward. Mr. Fowler, please don’t take it personally.”

Hamilton's fingers tightened around her wrist.

After a moment, he said, “Natalia, I’m not without temper. I’ve tolerated your friend’s insults only for your sake, but it won't happen again.”

Natalia fell silent for a moment and then said, “I'll clarify things with Scarlett about our relationship.”

Scarlett had dared to confront Hamilton only out of deep concern for Natalia, but the nature of her relationship with Hamilton didn’t warrant any scolding.

After all, they had started with a clear agreement. The contract was explicit: no children. The child was an accident, and it was her selfish desire to keep it.

Considering Hamilton’s temperament, his forbearance of such insults must have been out of consideration for her recent ordeal.

After cleaning her hands, Hamilton served a bowl of chicken soup from the thermos, helping Natalia to sit up before handing it to her.

Perhaps due to weakness, Natalia fumbled with the bowl, which Hamilton swiftly caught, his eyes holding a hint of exasperation. Chapter 44 “Can't even hold a bowl steady?” he teased, raising an eyebrow. “Shall | feed you?”

“No. | can manage on my own.” Natalia reached for the bowl again, but Hamilton didn’t let go. He sat beside her, his gaze complex and unreadable.

Natalia averted her eyes. After a heavy silence, she hesitated before speaking. “Keeping the baby was my choice, and | don’t blame anyone for not being able to protect it. So, you don’t need to feel like you owe me anything.”

Hamilton set the bowl aside and wiped his hands. His face was stern as he disposed of the wipe and looked up.

“Natalia, our deal has always been a fair transaction. | haven’t wronged you in any way. It’s your who breached the contract by hiding the pregnancy.”

Natalia’s heart skipped a beat.

Hamilton continued, “But the pregnancy was indeed my responsibility. Taking care of you is my way of making amends for my negligence. I’m sorry for the miscarriage and the suffering it caused you.”

He finished and picked up the bowl of soup again.

Natalia listened to his apology, feeling an overwhelming emotion clogging her chest. What she had wanted was never his apology. But it didn’t matter anymore. The baby was gone, and there probably wouldn't be another.

She choked back the sourness in her eyes and opened her mouth to take in the spoonful of

soup.

Yet Natalia tasted nothing. She wasn’t hungry, not the slightest bit.

However, feeding and eating seemed to be the only things left for them to share. The room was quiet, save for the clinking of the bowl and spoon. Before they could finish the bowl of soup. Hamilton’s phone began to ring. Hamilton glanced at it but didn’t pick up, allowing the call to drop on its own. No sooner had it disconnected than the phone began to ring again. The ringtone echoed through the hospital room, infusing a bit of life into the overly quiet space.

Hamilton still didn’t answer. Finally, he flipped the phone to silent mode..

Natalia felt a twinge of relief that Hamilton hadn’t taken the call, and that she was allowed a final shred of dignity. “You want any more to eat?” Hamilton asked her.

Natalia shifted her gaze and answered, “No, I’m full.”

Hamilton didn’t push her to eat; he simply suggested she lie down. Then, he stepped into the small ensuite bathroom and came out in pajamas.

Natalia felt a stir in her heart. “You really don’t have to stay here with me.”

Hamilton didn’t reply. He just got into the bed and pulled her into his arms from behind. His 12:21

large hand slipped under her hospital gown, resting on her lower abdomen.

“Does it still hurt?”

Hamilton’s hands were always warm.

Natalia suffered from severe menstrual cramps. Every month, the pain was almost unbearable. Sometimes, seeing her in such agony, he would warm her belly like this.

His hand on her abdomen felt like it carried love and compassion. Natalia had been moved by this gesture in the past. Hamilton, a man like him, warming her belly.

Back then, she naively thought that he must have some affection for her. She had even felt happy and blissful for a long time because of it. But later, she realized it was all an illusion. The warmth he offered was an illusion; her so-called happiness, too, was a mirage.

For reasons she couldn't fathom, tears once again fell uncontrollably.

Covering Hamilton’s hand with her own ice-cold hand, she said, “Hamilton, let's end our relationship early.”