Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 161

Natalia raced to the hospital, only to find the caretaker, Debby, looking frantic at the door of the hospital room.

"What's going on?" Natalia asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

Debby's face bore the distinct mark of a slap.

"It's your father, Graham. He hasn't shown up for quite some time, but tonight, out of the blue, he barged in, drunk as a skunk. He insisted on seeing your mother, and I tried to stop him, but he was belligerent after the drinks. He managed to push past me, and before I knew it, he had unplugged her ventilator, spewing all sorts of nasty words, saying she should have died a long time ago and that keeping her alive was just a waste of money."

"I called security and the doctor right away, and thankfully, the doctor arrived just in time."

Natalia's face turned a shade paler.

She could never have guessed that Graham would suddenly reappear and cause such a commotion after being absent for so long.

Natalia glanced apologetically at Debby.

"I'm so sorry you got dragged into this."

Debby was obviously feeling aggrieved.

Graham had been rough with her, and to this moment, one of her ears was still ringing.

Natalia promptly transferred some money to Debby. "You should go home and rest. I'll take it from here."

Debby refused to accept the money, gave her a few instructions, and then left.

Natalia turned and entered the hospital room.

The doctor had just finished examining Tatiana and nodded at Natalia as she came in.

"Things seem stable for now; thankfully, Debby was quick to react. But let's try to avoid such incidents in the future. It's not just about your mother's well-being; it can also upset the other patients. Ms. Jenkins, you really should have a word with your father." Natalia nodded earnestly.

"I will, thank you, Doctor."

The doctor didn't say much more; just advised her on a few things, and then took her leave.

Natalia looked down at Tatiana lying on the bed, her face ashen and void of color.

Tatiana had become so gaunt it was disconcerting. Natalia remembered her as being beautiful.

the bed now was just skin and

anything like Tatiana in

for a

on

standing by the

come out, he asked with a

and just said, "It's

He frowned, looked at Natalia, and said, "Glad to hear your mother is okay. I've got to deal with something urgent. Call me if you

to Hamilton, "You

After a long moment, he replied nonchalantly, "You

him a glance but didn't say anything else, turning

the mood to deal with Hamilton's

her surprise,

frowned, "Hamilton, can you not be

attitude. Couldn't this woman be

you need my help? Natalia, just say the word, and I can

stationed for her in a fit of pique, expecting Natalia to come begging. But she had remained

he couldn't very

seemed like a good

did want those

with them around, Graham wouldn't be able to cause

to owe Hamilton

of man whose favors came at too

to trouble yourself, Mr. Fowler. I can handle my own

tried to leave, but Hamilton pulled her into

plan to trouble

feel Hamilton's warm breath and the unfamiliar scent of perfume-it wasn't his. It must be

welled up inside

broke

ask is none of your business,

darkened at her

look around. Who else is here for you at this hour? Do you honestly think others care about

mother was critically ill? What were you doing when I truly needed you? Now you show up for this little trouble? Well, guess what? I don't need your help anymore." Having said her

stood there, his face a mask of

how to hit where it

was being pricked with needles-not intensely painful, but the discomfort

sneer, he didn't follow

then, his phone