Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 182

Natalia locked eyes with the man before her, the tension palpable as they stood motionless. Time seemed to stretch on until, with a sudden burst of energy, she wriggled free from the grip he had on her and aimed a kick toward his most vulnerable spot. Hamilton's face darkened instantly as he caught her leg. "Natalia! Are you out of your mind?" he exclaimed.

She shoved him hard. "You're the crazy one, Hamilton. You're a complete lunatic!" she spat back, her voice tinged with anger.

With that, she spun on her heel, climbed into her car, and without a second thought, she fired up the engine and sped away.

Hamilton watched the retreating tail lights, a cold glint flickering in his eyes. Natalia had the nerve to take a shot at him! She really had guts.

He got into his own car and followed her at a leisurely pace.

As Natalia drove, she tried to get a grip on her emotions, but thoughts of Ryan and what might have been with him only added to her frustration. It seemed inevitable that if things kept going, taking the next step was just a matter of time. If Hamilton really...

She couldn't help but rub her temples, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Hamilton was probably just not ready to let go. She figured once he got bored or found someone new, he'd move on.

Natalia didn't return to Scarlett's. Instead, she headed to Graham's place to look for clues.

As she parked, another car pulled up behind her. Her eyebrows knitted together in annoyance as Hamilton stepped out.

"Aren't you done yet?" she snapped.

"I just want to check out Graham's situation," Hamilton replied with a tone of self-righteousness that brooked no argument. "After all, I'm involved in this case too."

Natalia didn't bother to argue with him and made her way upstairs.

The old apartment building's hallways were poorly lit, the motion-activated lights barely functioning. Natalia used her phone to light the way when suddenly someone grabbed her wrist. "You're just going in like that?" Hamilton questioned.

She shook him off and turned on her phone's flashlight. "If Mr. Fowler feels uncomfortable, he's free not to enter," she retorted.

Hamilton scoffed. "Natalia, are you sure you can handle this alone? If what you say is true, and Graham's backer is targeting you, are you sure there's no ambush waiting?"

Her lips tightened. She wasn't sure anymore. She was in the light; her adversary in the dark. Worse, she had no idea what their endgame was.

Hamilton chuckled at her side. "Tell you what, Natalia, I'll be your personal bodyguard for free."

She shot him a cold look and continued forward.

Hamilton quickly pulled her into his arms. She paused and frowned, but didn't struggle, instead glancing to the side. There stood a woman in her fifties, carrying out

the woman asked with a hint

breathed a sigh of

embrace, even brushing herself off as if to

This woman

is you! I haven't seen you around

she turned to Hamilton.

was cut off by

glared at Natalia, but she didn't

surprised. "I thought he was your boyfriend.

nodded with

mother must

break up any day now." "Natalia!" Natalia's shout at Hamilton was fierce.

changed as she remembered something.

get better. But your

her

who

"The same old crowd, bringing home women, making a racket all night. I don't even let my grandson stay here anymore." Natalia's frown

her head. "No one special, just people from the streets. You'd better disinfect the place when you get back; you don't want to catch anything." Natalia thanked her and was about

she screamed money. That handbag of hers, my daughter-in-law said it costs a small fortune. I was wondering, how on earth did your dad get mixed

seemed pensive

of Eveleen,

shook her head. "No, that woman wasn't nearly

Cora's response, Hamilton let out

what

Hamilton a look and pocketed

Natalia headed into

entered, she was

on the light, revealing a scattered array

take a step, Hamilton was

dingy room, making it seem even more cramped

he seemed oblivious to the