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.”

bitterly, fear making her voice quiver. “You think you can leverage me to get to Hamilton? It’s pointless, Orpheus. Hamilton doesn’t love

pleas, prying her fingers away and dragging her into the

“Drive.”

11:47

they left Benevolent

you okay? If not, we can call in specialists

shook his head. “It’s an old stomach issue. Acts up when

they witnessed a scene of

gestured towards the commotion. But before they could approach, they saw

Dawson’s face turned ashen.

the girl from yesterday?”

felt a chill run down his spine.

commanded, dialing 911 without

composed, now seemed visibly rattled

sped up, but Ryan kept close behind, blaring the horn as a

interference, ordered Quill, “Shake them off!”

the rear–view mirror, then stepped on

the city very soon, venturing onto a winding mountain road.

always managed to

them off the cliff?” Quill suggested, frustration edging

plate of that car! You hit them, you sign your

unfamiliar with such matters, was rather

Orpheus was well aware of the stakes. Though he had been messing around since

a customized license plate like that was an extremely important figure in the government. He only wanted to

glanced at the bound Natalia. Did she really

now?” Quill

the cliff up ahead, dump her.”

so much left to live for. Her life had just begun; she had

11:47

Chapter 132

unmoved. The van halted at the cliff,

fell, 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

eyes, surrendering to the cold

away, leaving Natalia to her fate.