Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 197

No sooner had they stepped out of the diner than Debby's call came through, her voice laced with panic, "Ms. Jenkins, you better come quick. It's absolute mayhem here." Natalia hung up, and Hamilton took her wrist, guiding her to the car with urgency.

"I've got the local police on their way, and Elliott's got the security team deployed. It'll be under control, don't worry."

Yet Natalia's face remained ashen, her mind racing with a singular, torturous thought.

She had dragged Tatiana into this mess.

Eyes shut tight, her heart was a storm of sorrow and rage.

Maybe she should never have tried to compete with Eveleen.

But she refused to be cowed. Why should she, Natalia, be bullied by Eveleen?

Why should it matter that she was the cherished first love?

Eveleen and Hamilton, perched upon their high pedestals, their relationship ambiguously competitive.

Was Natalia destined to be their collateral?

Hamilton, seeing her distress, chose silence over words.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened, tendons standing out. He knew that if anything happened to Natalia's mother this time, whatever chance he had with Natalia would likely vanish. Upon arriving, Natalia dashed to Tatiana's floor. The elevator doors slid open to a scene of chaos.

Her photographs were strewn across the floor, turned into slanderous flyers by frenzied fans. The words "homewrecker" and "mistress" seared into her eyes.

The fans had been cleared, but onlookers still crowded the hallway, whispering and pointing as she passed.

Ignoring them, Natalia made her way to Tatiana's room, Hamilton trailing with a darkening expression.

and Natalia immediately

time. We definitely need to beef up hospital security from now

managing to muster

cops aren't under my command. Without

her voice soft, "Thank you,"

at her gratitude but held his

long time. And I hear it's not just here; fans are spreading these flyers all over town." Hamilton's face darkened. Before he could respond, Scarlett rushed from the

do you see this? Your precious first love's handiwork! Do you understand how devastating this is for a

was grim, "I'll

it? What's your plan? Keep indulging her, or is your so-called detachment already your benevolence to Natalia? Or perhaps, a stern warning to Eveleen will suffice?" Hamilton's

her eyes ablaze, "Am I overstepping, or did

He would protect Natalia.

with those who insulted her, and erase those

But Eveleen?

only promise detachment, treating her as a

guarantee

her friend, lashed out, "Natalia's blind for loving you for a decade. Hamilton,

at Hamilton, inadvertently hitting Elliott as

protested, "This has nothing to do

shot him a look, "Anyone who associates with him

"What the hell does

Scarlett's words, "What did

but her sympathy for Natalia

should Hamilton remain clueless to all

a decade! Hamilton, what have you given her in return? For your so-called first love, what have you done to her? Hamilton, people have hearts, why can't you see Natalia's pain?" As Scarlett's words echoed, a tumultuous wave crashed in Hamilton's

pause, he finally asked, "You're saying, Natalia loves

eyes welled with

of it made her heart ache, not to mention

this world with a bit of cash? Or did you think, if she really wanted to, she couldn't find someone who'd truly cherish her?" Hamilton's face