Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 325

Hamilton muttered under his breath, "Just keep a watchful eye from a distance, no need to hover too closely."

Alden nodded in agreement.

From afar, Killian emerged from the airport terminal, his hand intertwined with that of a little girl, her cheeks rosy and full of life.

By his side was a woman, his wife.

Who would have thought that Killian, during his three-year stint abroad, had managed to charm a local nurse into marrying him?

Killian's wife, Jolene Stafford, had practically watched Amora grow up.

As they walked, Jolene playfully engaged with Amora.

Amora clutched a teddy bear in her arms.

Her face was partially hidden behind a mask, yet her sparkling eyes were unmistakable.

Her curly black hair was adorned with a large butterfly bow, perfectly complementing her princess dress.

"Daddy Killian, Amora's tired," she complained.

Killian sighed, a mix of frustration and tenderness in his voice, "What did the doctor say? You need to walk more, sweetie, to get stronger."

Amora blinked up at him, "But if Amora gets too tired, I can get sick, right, Mommy Jolene?"

Jolene couldn't help but laugh.

"She's just out of the hospital. Don't push her too hard, let her adjust gradually," she advised.

Amora nodded vigorously, "Mommy Jolene is right!"

Killian looked between the two, his resolve melting into a smile, as he lifted Amora into his arms.

"No more slacking off after this," he warned gently.

Amora, delighted, pressed a kiss to Killian's cheek through her mask.

"Thank you, Daddy Killian."

Killian affectionately scraped his nose against hers.

Alden watched their interaction from a distance, a lump forming in his throat.

How he wished it was his brother embracing Amora, with Natalia by their side.

He couldn't resist capturing the moment with his phone, sending the pictures to Hamilton.

Hamilton's fingers trembled slightly as he zoomed in on the photo, focusing on Amora's eyes until they were clear.

He glanced at Natalia, who was still kneeling by the graves.

"Killian’s married now, has a daughter. She's beautiful."

Amora was frail, so they had even adjusted her birthdate on the birth certificate to make her half a year younger.

Natalia paused, then said after a long moment, "Really? Pass on my congratulations when you see him."

Hamilton chuckled, "Want to see their picture?"

Natalia hesitated, then shook her head, "Better not. It'll just make me sadder."

He looked down at Natalia, his heart aching.

"Natalia, if one day I could give you back what you cherish most, would you still care for me?"

Natalia stiffened.

What she cherished most?

She didn't even know anymore, so how could she answer that?

"All I cherished is here," she said, her gaze lost on the two gravestones before her.

Hamilton felt a sharp pain in his chest.

Natalia stood up.

"Hamilton, have you changed your mind about what we discussed last night?"

Hamilton pressed his lips together, then smiled, "I won't change my mind, Natalia. You don't need to worry about me; I can handle it."

Natalia met his gaze briefly, then nodded.

"Alright. In that case, I won't insist."

With that, she walked away, leaving Hamilton staring after her, his expression bitter.

After leaving the cemetery, Natalia headed straight to her new company.

Breaking into the domestic market wasn't easy.

Delilah had established a translation company in Silkwood City two years earlier, thriving with the support of the Powell family.

Natalia's return was bound to cause friction, so she had much to prepare.

She worked late into the evening before changing and heading to the restaurant where she'd agreed to meet Lionel.

Lionel's eyes lit up upon seeing her.

"And why's a guy his age flying solo?"

His assistant paused for a moment.

"I'm not sure, but Lionel seems to be about your age, Mr. Fowler. Aren't you also on the market, sans a wife or girlfriend?"

Hamilton pinched the bridge of his nose, head bowed.

He wondered for a moment if she was doing this on purpose.

But then, he chuckled again.

Even if she was, what could he possibly do about it?

"Mr. Fowler, your networking event is about to start."

Hamilton let out a sigh, nodded, and got into the car.

Throughout the entire dinner party, everyone could sense that Hamilton was in a foul mood, a very foul mood indeed.

The dinner, which was supposed to last into the wee hours, was abruptly cut short due to Hamilton's grim expression.

After leaving the dinner, Hamilton drove directly to the restaurant where Natalia and Lionel were dining.

Upon arrival, he saw the two of them in a corner, chatting and laughing together.

Natalia was catching up with Lionel while discussing business, and the meal didn't end until almost ten o'clock.

Lionel left the restaurant with a smile still on his face.

He bent down to exchange a few words with Natalia before departing.

As Natalia watched Lionel leave and was about to get into her car, she spotted a Maybach parked not too far away.

She glanced at it, then looked away.

Natalia drove back to Scarlett's place.

She had just parked when that Maybach blocked her car door.

Hamilton got out of the car and opened the passenger door where Natalia was seated.

Natalia turned to him, "Is there something you need, Mr. Fowler?"

Hamilton frowned at her, "Natalia, what are you playing at?"

Natalia's lips curved into a smile, her eyes holding a trace of allure.

"Didn't you tell me to focus on my business, Mr. Fowler? I was merely meeting with a business partner, that's all."