Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 132

Natalia’s heart thundered against her chest as she flung open the car door and bolted.

But no sooner had her feet hit the pavement than a gang of thugs gave chase.

Their leader, a scar slashing across his face, was particularly menacing.

In a flurry of panic, Natalia dialed 911.

To her dread, the line was busy; her call was stuck in a queue.

A pulse throbbed at her temple. Disconnecting the call, she dialed Hamilton’s number, only to be met with the chilling tone of a dead line.

Her fingers clenched, a wave of despair washing over her. Without hesitation, she hit the speed dial for Alden.

Thankfully, this time, the call connected swiftly.

“Ms. Jenkins, what’s up so early?” Alden’s voice came through, calm and collected.

“Alden, help me, outside Benevolent Care Hospital, please, help…”

Before she could finish, a rough hand snatched her hair from behind.

“Dammit, you bitch! Quite the runner, huh?” The voice sneered, followed by a stinging slap across Natalia’s face. “I’d like to see you run now. Go on!”

Her ears rang from the blow, but she tried to maintain a composed facade. “I’ve already called the cops; they’re on their way. Just let me go, and I won’t press charges!”

Instead, she was dragged mercilessly toward a van parked by the curb.

Natalia clung to the door, refusing to be shoved inside.

“Break her grip!” came the command.

To her horror, the man waiting inside the van was Orpheus.

“What do you want?” she demanded, her voice shaking despite her efforts to sound steady. “Orpheus, I’ve done nothing to you!”

He chuckled darkly. “Maybe you haven’t, but your man sure has. Tie her up and gag her. We’ll send Hamilton a nice little photo.”

her voice quiver. “You think you can leverage me to get to Hamilton? It’s pointless,

pleas, prying her fingers away and dragging her into the van.

“Drive.”

11:47

as they left Benevolent

okay? If not, we can call in specialists

“It’s an old stomach issue. Acts

car, they witnessed

gestured towards the commotion. But before they could approach, they saw a group of men forcing a

Dawson’s face

that the girl

chill run down his

Dawson commanded, dialing 911 without further

normally so composed, now seemed visibly rattled as he

sped up, but Ryan kept close behind, blaring

ordered Quill,

mirror, then stepped on the gas. The van instantly

the city very soon, venturing onto a

car behind somehow always managed to maneuver like a pro and

cliff?” Quill suggested, frustration edging

of your mind? Look at the plate of

with such matters,

the stakes. Though he had been messing around since

figure in

Natalia. Did she really have connections this high up?

Quill snapped.

the

much left to live for. Her life had just begun; she had yet to enjoy it; she had yet to witness her mother wake

11:47

Chapter 132

the

her thoughts were a tangle of despair and bittersweet relief. No more entanglements with Hamilton, no more disappointments, no more pain. If there was another

closed her eyes, surrendering to the cold embrace of

Quill sped away, leaving Natalia