Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Natalia froze in her tracks.

It was already past midnight.

Their flight was at 3 PM, which meant they had to head to the airport by 2 PM at the latest.

Hamilton looked down at her with pleading eyes. "Can I crash here for the night?" he asked. Natalia gave him a long look before relenting, "You can sleep on the couch."

Hamilton quickly agreed.

"Should I help you with a bath?" he offered cheekily.

"No need!"

Hamilton chuckled but didn't push his luck further, knowing well they were short on time.

Even the time for a proper warm-up was a luxury they didn't have tonight.

After Natalia had taken her shower, she found Hamilton on the phone. He quickly wrapped up the call as she emerged.

She glanced at him and moved towards the bed.

Hamilton then took his turn in the bathroom, coming out wrapped in a towel.

Natalia was taken aback. There were robes in the bathroom, yet there he was in just a towel.

Just as she was about to comment, her eyes landed on the scar across his abdomen. It wasn't long but was strikingly visible and somewhat menacing. The words she had intended to speak suddenly stuck in her throat.

Hamilton seized the moment to pull her close.

"The couch isn't comfortable. I promise to behave. Okay?" he coaxed.

Natalia glared at him, "Don't push your luck."

But Hamilton was already pulling her down beside him.

"I won't do anything, Natalia. I just want to be with you for a bit," he whispered.

Natalia stayed silent for a moment but eventually didn't argue further.

In the quiet room, all she could hear was the sound of Hamilton's breathing behind her, making her heart unexpectedly noisy.

She was still mad at him.

But she knew the effort and the weariness behind his actions today.

She sighed softly, "Let's just rest."

Hamilton chuckled lightly, then suddenly planted a kiss on the nape of her neck.

His hand then slipped inside her pajama top, gently grasping her.

Natalia stiffened instantly.

"Hamilton!" she warned.

Hamilton merely responded but didn't heed her warning tone, biting gently at her neck while his fingers played provocatively.

His leg nudged between hers, his other hand sliding in as well.

"Hamilton!" Natalia's voice trembled, overwhelmed by his actions.

Hamilton just laughed softly in her ear.

"Thinking about it? Natalia."

Natalia kicked him in protest.

But Hamilton's kisses continued.

"We don't have enough time today to make it perfect for you, but next time, let it be for me, okay?"

Natalia gripped his arm tightly, her nails almost digging into his skin.

She didn't respond, but neither did she refuse him.

After reaching a climax, she was utterly exhausted.

Hamilton then carried her for another quick shower.

No sooner had they settled back into bed than his phone rang.

Natalia shifted slightly, and Hamilton pressed a kiss on her lips again, his hands pinning hers above her head, his kiss almost like a conquest.

But soon, he let her go.

"Remember to miss me," he said, his gaze intense and dangerous as he looked down at her.

Natalia met his gaze and after a long moment, said, "Drive safely."

"Mhm," Hamilton responded with another kiss before getting dressed.

Only a bedside lamp was on.

Natalia watched him get dressed slowly, methodically buttoning up his shirt.

Suddenly, she couldn't hold back.

"Hamilton, text me when you get there," she said.

Hamilton paused, then smiled. "Sure."

After Hamilton left, Natalia found herself unable to sleep.

It wasn't until past five in the morning that she received a text from Hamilton-a photo of a sunrise taken from the airplane, the breathtaking beauty painting half the sky red. Natalia lingered on the photo for a long while before saving it and finally placing her phone under her pillow, drifting into a restless sleep.

Natalia had expected someone from Minister Dawson to pick her up, but to her surprise, it was Ryan.

Ryan greeted her with his usual smile.

"How did you sleep last night?"

Natalia nodded, "Fine."

Ryan chuckled. "Good, I was worried you wouldn't rest well."

He paused, then asked, "Natalia, are you and Hamilton getting back together?"

Natalia took a moment before responding, "Not yet."

Though they hadn't reconciled, Natalia could feel her resolve wavering with each of Hamilton's advances, harder to resist each time. Yet, the stance of the Fowler family kept her guarded.

She didn't delve into details with Ryan, simply gathering her things to leave with him.

In the elevator, Ryan looked at her for a long time before apologizing.

"Natalia, I was wrong."

Natalia was taken aback.

Ryan didn't elaborate further.

He regretted giving up so easily back then.

Now, seeing Hamilton's determination made him wonder if things could have been different for them if he had just persisted.

As Natalia got into the car, Hamilton's call came through, this time a video call.

"Are you on your way?"

His face darkened when he saw she was with Ryan.

"In Ryan's car?"

Natalia bit her lip, "Minister Dawson arranged for him to pick me up."

Hamilton scoffed, "Does Dawson have a hole in his brain? Of all people, why him?"

"Natalia, watch your tone!"

Hamilton couldn't contain his frustration, wishing he could fly right back.

"Is Ryan involved in this mission?"

Natalia didn't know the details of the mission team, including Ryan's involvement until now.

Ryan confirmed from the side, "Yes, I'm on it too."

Hamilton felt a pang of jealousy, unable to hide his irritation.

"Is the Foreign Affairs Department running on fumes or something? Why is it always you, Mr. Holzer, popping up everywhere?"

Ryan let out a chuckle, "Well, Mr. Fowler, it's part of my job."

Hamilton gave a cold laugh, "Is it really the job, or are you trying to mix business with pleasure?"

Natalia frowned slightly from the side.

"Hamilton, can you not jump to conclusions?"

But Hamilton just silently stared at her.

Natalia bit her lip, "I'll text you about it."

With that, Natalia ended the call.

Hamilton stared at the disconnected phone, his expression darker than a thunderstorm.

Alden pushed the door open and halted in his tracks at the sight of Hamilton's stormy face. "Bro, what happened?"

Hamilton lit a cigarette, his gaze downward, "Nothing."

But his claim of "nothing" was belied by the increasingly gloomy aura surrounding him.

The events of the previous night had surfaced, and although Natalia hadn't said anything, he knew she was upset.

After all, Natalia and Ryan hadn't parted on willing terms in the first place.

And Ryan clearly hadn't moved on.

Now that their jobs kept them together all the time, it was only natural for Hamilton to worry.

He could tolerate Ronin hanging around Natalia every day.

But Ryan being close to her was a different story altogether.

Hamilton glanced at his phone and, after a moment, dialed a number.

"Mr. Dawson, for this upcoming mission, is it possible to bring along a bodyguard?"