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.

almost drop her keys. Hamilton quickly pulled her into his arms. She

asked with a hint

sigh

wriggled out of Hamilton's embrace, even brushing herself off as if to

darkening. This woman sure

you! I haven't seen you around in ages,

Hamilton. "Is this your

Cora but was cut off by Natalia's

glared at Natalia, but she

thought he was your boyfriend.

nodded with a

mother

yet. Who knows, they might break up any day now." "Natalia!" Natalia's shout at Hamilton was fierce. Then she softened her

she remembered something. "How's your mother?" Natalia forced

"Things will get better.

trailed off, her face saying it

deepened. "Cora, who

bringing home women, making a racket all night. I don't even let my grandson stay here anymore." Natalia's frown deepened. "Has he been meeting

streets. You'd better disinfect the place when you get back; you don't want to catch anything." Natalia thanked her and was about to enter when Cora added, "There was this one woman, though, looked rich and pretty, came by

handbag of hers, my daughter-in-law said it costs a small fortune. I was wondering, how on earth did

seemed pensive

pulled up a photo of Eveleen, handing it

head. "No, that woman wasn't

response, Hamilton let out

what that

look and

Natalia headed

soon as she entered, she was greeted

wrinkled her nose and flicked on the light, revealing a scattered array of

could take a step, Hamilton was already

stood starkly in the dingy room, making it seem even more cramped and

seemed oblivious to