Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Natalia reached out directly to Dawson over the phone.

The news of her wanting to resign hit Dawson like a ton of bricks.

"Natalia, we can work through this."

Tears instantly welled up in Natalia's eyes.

She let out a bitter laugh.

"Mr. Dawson, I'm exhausted. I need a break, really, I'm just so tired. I can't keep playing these games anymore. If they don't want me in the Foreign Affairs Department, then even if we resolve this now, there'll just be something else later. I'm just so tired."

As Natalia spoke, her voice broke into sobs.

Dawson felt an unexpected pang of sympathy.

"Alright, stop crying. If you're tired, then it's time to stop. Take a good rest."

Natalia nodded through her tears.

After hanging up, she closed her eyes to the world.noveldrama

Hamilton looked at her with a heart full of pity.

Alden frowned at Hamilton, "The news?"

"It goes out as planned."

Soon after, both the Ivy Group and Fowler Group websites published a statement.

"Love at first sight, a four-year courtship, and a proposal that was finally accepted, only to be delayed by the passing of a mother-in-law. Our child is the fruit of our love, a destiny we cannot reject. We ask for privacy during this personal time," Hamilton stated.

Following that, the scandal involving Delilah Powell attempting to meddle in Natalia and Hamilton's relationship somehow leaked.

Instantly, the tide of public opinion turned from criticizing Natalia to attacking Delilah.

Delilah hurriedly claimed it was an arranged marriage by her family.

But Hamilton's public declaration of his feelings for Natalia rendered Delilah's defense weak.

Previously disgraced in Boria City for a separate incident, Delilah now faced public mockery once again for interfering in someone else's relationship.

Fuming, she vented her frustrations by smashing things at home.

Meanwhile, in the chairman's office of Ron Group.

Mrs. Joyner walked in to find a document on the desk.

She frowned, picked it up, and her gaze froze.

A paternity test report.

Mrs. Joyner glanced towards the door, saw it was closed, and quickly read through the document.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Natalia was Mason's biological daughter?!

In the days following, Natalia found herself plagued by insomnia.

Every ache seemed a reminder of the child she had lost.

Closing her eyes, she could hear the desperate cries of her baby.

As a result, Natalia barely slept or even lay down, spending most of her time staring out of the window.

Hamilton, recovering from his own injuries, watched as Natalia grew thinner, each day adding a new prick to his heart.

The festive atmosphere of New Year's did nothing to lift the gloom in Natalia's hospital room.

Hamilton entered with a cake, but Natalia barely acknowledged it, her reaction so muted it filled him with a bitter sadness.

This was their fifth year together, and his first time celebrating her birthday - under such grim circumstances.

He coaxed her to sit down and whispered, "Happy Birthday, Natalia.”

Tears silently streamed down her face.

Hamilton cut a piece of cake for her, but she pushed it aside, "I'm not hungry."

Then she stood up and returned to the window.

Hamilton chuckled sadly, "Do you hate me, Natalia?"

Natalia stiffened.

Hamilton approached, pressing a charm into her hand.

"I got this for you, for your safety and well-being."

Looking at the charm, Natalia's tears fell anew.

"Is it for me and the baby?"

Hamilton remained silent, holding her hand and softly saying, "I'm letting you go, Natalia. This is for the rest of your life."

Shocked, Natalia turned to face him.

"What did you say?"

Hamilton caressed her face tenderly, "I'm letting go. From now on, we have no ties."

Natalia stared at him, tears mingling with a smile.

"Letting go now? Hamilton, I can't leave. My child, my mother, they both died tragically. I can't just walk away!"

Hamilton scoffed coldly.

"What can you do? Stay, and you'll just get played and hurt. I'm tired too, Natalia. I can't keep cleaning up your messes."

Natalia's face turned pale.

But Hamilton had already turned to leave, saying, "Stay or go, it's up to you. But from now on, we're nothing to each other."

Exiting the room, Caspian frowned at him, "Aren't you afraid she'll really leave you?"

Hamilton smiled bitterly, "She never really wanted me."

Caspian felt a twinge of pain, unsure of whom to sympathize with more.

"If she ever finds out the truth, she'll hate you forever."

Hamilton didn't respond.

After her confinement, Natalia returned to Silkwood City.

She visited Tatiana's grave with little clothes she had bought for the baby, erecting

a small tombstone next to it.

With no name for the child, the stone simply read "Beloved Baby."

Natalia stood there the whole day before finally leaving.

Back home, she called Mr. Locke, deciding to accept their offer.

If she wanted revenge, she needed to strengthen herself first.

After all, she couldn't always depend on others for protection.

Everyone gets tired, everyone has their limits.

The day Natalia left was in the middle of Thanksgiving celebrations.

While most families gathered around their dinner tables, laden with turkey and pumpkin pies, she was on a flight to Landeia, leaving behind the warmth of the holiday lights.

Hamilton stood at the airport, his gaze lingering on the ascending plane carrying Natalia until it was just a speck against the vast sky. Caspian, by his side, let out a heavy sigh.

"Regrets?" Caspian asked, breaking the silence.

Hamilton continued to stare at the sky, "My only regret is not letting her go

sooner."

Caspian clapped him on the back, "The private jet's ready. Let's head out."

Using Caspian's resources, Hamilton made his way to the country where his life was about to change forever.

Through the sterile glass of the hospital nursery, he laid eyes on her for the first time.

Natalia was right; she did look like her. Tiny and fragile, yet her beauty was undeniable, even from behind the glass.

Leaning against the wall, Hamilton allowed himself to cry for the first time.

This was his daughter.

His and Natalia's daughter.

Killian stood by, his own eyes not entirely dry, "The little lady's doing somewhat better now."

Hamilton nodded, managing a "Thank you."

Killian hesitated before adding, "Sir, perhaps it's time to give the child a name."

Looking at the small figure on the other side of the glass, Hamilton thought for a moment before murmuring, "Hope, as in to hope for all the good in the world." Quick to agree, Killian nodded, "Alright, she'll be Amora Fowler." Hamilton cracked a smile, "Amora Lyons, Killian. As of now, you're her father too." Taken aback, Killian took a moment before nodding, "I'll make sure she's well taken care of."

Hamilton's gaze softened as he looked at his daughter, "Amora, grow up strong, okay? Daddy's off to

chase the bad guys away. Once they're gone, we'll go get Mommy together, alright?"