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.

them, and Natalia immediately asked, "How's

the police arrived in time. We definitely need to beef

collapsed with relief, managing to muster a

aren't under my command. Without them, this would've

voice soft, "Thank you," before heading straight to

deepened 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

eyes, "Hamilton, do you see this? Your precious

expression was grim, "I'll handle

What's your plan? Keep indulging her, or is your so-called detachment already your benevolence to

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

He would protect Natalia.

would deal with those who insulted her, and erase those despicable

But Eveleen?

promise detachment, treating

guarantee anything

aching for her friend, lashed out, "Natalia's blind for loving you

hurled the flyers at Hamilton, inadvertently hitting Elliott as

"This has nothing to

who associates with him

was taken aback, "What the hell does this have

Scarlett's words,

confront Hamilton, but her sympathy

should Hamilton remain clueless to

you for 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

finally asked, "You're saying,

welled with

speaking of it made her heart ache, not to mention

be? Why do you think Natalia stuck around you, Hamilton? Did you really think you're the only one in this world with a bit of cash? Or did