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

in time. We definitely need to beef up

collapsed with relief, managing to muster a "Thank

Hamilton, "Those cops aren't under my command. Without them, this

"Thank you," before

deepened at her gratitude but held

to bring this to someone's mother's hospital? I bet Natalia will face whispers and stares for a long time. And

fury in her eyes, "Hamilton, do you see this? Your

expression was grim,

your benevolence to Natalia? Or perhaps, a stern warning to Eveleen will suffice?" Hamilton's face was a

eyes ablaze, "Am I overstepping, or did I hit a nerve?" Hamilton was at

He would protect Natalia.

deal with those who insulted her, and erase

But Eveleen?

only promise detachment, treating her

couldn't guarantee anything

lashed out, "Natalia's blind for loving

hurled the flyers at Hamilton,

struck squarely, protested, "This has nothing to

him a look, "Anyone who associates with him

the hell does this have to do with

Scarlett's words,

hadn't intended to confront Hamilton, but her sympathy for Natalia

should Hamilton remain clueless to

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

pause, he finally

eyes welled with

of it made her heart ache, not to mention what Natalia had been

of cash? Or did you think, if she really wanted to, she couldn't find someone who'd truly cherish her?" Hamilton's face stiffened, and as he looked up, he saw