Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Hamilton had just finished sorting things out with Lucinda and headed back to the hospital.

Stepping out of the elevator, he spotted Natalia standing at the ICU entrance, deep in conversation with a doctor. Instead of approaching her immediately, Hamilton made a detour to wash his hands before joining her side.

"Did you get to see your mom?" he asked.

Natalia nodded.

"How did things go with Lucinda?"

Hamilton briefed Natalia on the situation.

Natalia paused for a moment.

"So, you're saying the person who kidnapped my mom... it wasn't her?"

Hamilton's gaze flickered, "Not necessarily. The question about the video caught her off guard, but if she was behind the kidnapping, she would have been prepared. Still, it's too early to say. Let's see if she reveals anything else." Natalia nodded, "What did you do with Lucinda?"

Hamilton's eyes twinkled mischievously, "I sent her to a nice place."

Natalia frowned, "What nice place?"

Hamilton chuckled, "A place with room and board, where she can enjoy herself."

As they spoke, Hamilton guided her back to the patient room.

"I'm exhausted. Need to rest for a bit."

With that, Hamilton began to undress right in front of Natalia, changing into hospital attire before attempting to lie down on the bed.

Natalia was taken aback, "Go rest in your room."

But Hamilton was already lying down and showed no intention of moving.

"Just let me rest here for a while."

Seeing his pale face, Natalia ultimately didn't have the heart to send him away.

Hamilton was indeed exhausted. Having lost a lot of blood and just undergone surgery, it was remarkable he was even up and about.

So, it didn't take long for him to fall asleep.

Natalia was torn between waking him and letting him be. Eventually, she called Alden.

"Your brother fell asleep here. Remember to inform the doctor when they come for rounds."

Alden replied, "Natalia, my brother had me move his hospital room to yours."

Natalia was speechless.

"Alden, I'm also a patient. The doctor said I need to be observed for a day."

Alden chuckled, "My brother said one bed for two is more than enough."

Somewhat exasperated, Natalia ended the call.

Looking at Hamilton on the bed, she initially felt a bit sympathetic towards him.

But now, she couldn't help but give his leg a little kick.

Hamilton winced but didn't open his eyes. Natalia suddenly noticed his complexion seemed off.

Touching his forehead, she realized he had a fever.

A wave of concern washed over her.

She quickly called for a doctor, who arrived with a resigned look.

"Ms. Jenkins, could you please talk some sense into your boyfriend? He's just had surgery, not merely taken a tumble. He can't keep this up; even the strongest body has its limits." Natalia bit her lip, wanting to clarify that Hamilton was not her boyfriend.

But given everything that had happened, plus him blatantly sleeping in her bed, any explanation seemed futile.

She resignedly accepted the label.

"Alright, I'll talk to him later."

After the doctor had checked Hamilton's wounds to ensure they hadn't reopened, he finally relaxed a bit.

"I'll write some orders. You can use a warm towel to wipe his forehead and palms to help him cool down faster." Natalia hurriedly agreed.

Once the doctor left, she prepared a warm towel.

But before she could touch Hamilton, he suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"I heard everything. I'm the boyfriend?"

Natalia paused, then freed her hand.

"Behave yourself. The doctor said you'd be in big trouble if you keep this up."

Hamilton, looking weary, rubbed his temples.

"Maybe trouble isn't so bad if it means Ms. Jenkins takes care of me personally."

Natalia chuckled, "Hamilton, when did you become such a joker?"

The old Hamilton she knew was always so aloof.

Back then, she'd tread on eggshells around him.

But now, his current demeanor reminded her of his younger days.

Hamilton's gaze lingered on Natalia.

After a moment, he reached out to gently touch her brow.

"Maybe I never thought to open up to anyone before. But now, I suddenly want to try opening up to someone."

Natalia was stunned for a moment but then avoided his intense gaze.

She wanted to ask if he'd never opened up to Eveleen.

But she swallowed the question. Why create discomfort for herself?

She started wiping his forehead with the towel.

Hamilton grabbed her hand again.

"Natalia, thank you."

Natalia paused, then smiled, "If you really want to thank me, get better soon."

Hamilton didn't say anything else. When Natalia looked up, she found he had fallen asleep again.

She couldn't help but smile at his peaceful face.

Hamilton slept through until night without waking.

Natalia checked on him several times, relieved to learn his condition was due to blood loss and weakness.

But as night fell, she worried about their sleeping arrangements.

Somehow, Alden had managed to convince the doctors to place them in the same room.

She considered asking for another room but, seeing Hamilton's still-pale face, decided against it.

After a quick wash, she laid down on the sofa.

However, once she had fallen asleep, the man on the bed opened his eyes.

He got up, picked her up, and placed her on the bed.

Natalia woke up, bewildered.

"What are you doing?"

Hamilton grinned, "Moving you to the bed."

Natalia protested, "I'm fine on the sofa."

But Hamilton nonchalantly placed her on the bed, "I don't let women sleep on the couch. Though, if you want to do something else on it, I'm open to that."

Caught off guard, Natalia threw a pillow at his face.

"You sleep on the sofa!"

Hamilton paused, "Natalia, I'm a patient here."

Natalia let out a scoff, "So am I."

But Hamilton, with a cheeky grin, squeezed onto the bed anyway.

"Well, since we both are, let's just cozy up together."

Natalia shot him a glare, but before she could speak, Hamilton suddenly pulled her into his arms, whispering.

"Goodnight."

Natalia froze for a moment.

She leaned into Hamilton's embrace, no longer resisting.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally whispered back.

"Hamilton, when you have time, could you take me to see an alternative medicine specialist?"