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.

Natalia immediately

definitely need to

collapsed with relief, managing to muster a

"Those cops aren't under my command. Without them, this would've been out of my

her voice soft, "Thank you," before heading straight to Tatiana's

at her gratitude but

earth happened? These 'mistress' and 'homewrecker' labels are way out of line. And to bring this to someone's mother's hospital? I bet Natalia will face whispers and stares for a 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 elevator, clutching a

fury in her eyes, "Hamilton, do you see this? Your precious first love's handiwork!

grim, "I'll handle

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

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

He would protect Natalia.

who insulted her,

But Eveleen?

only promise detachment,

couldn't guarantee

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

the flyers at Hamilton, inadvertently

squarely, protested, "This has

a look, "Anyone who associates with him is no

hell does this have

hitched at Scarlett's words, "What did

but her sympathy for

clueless to all of

ten years! Natalia has loved 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 you see Natalia's pain?" As Scarlett's words echoed,

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

eyes welled with

it made her heart ache, not to

else could it 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 you think, if she really wanted to, she couldn't find someone who'd truly cherish her?" Hamilton's face stiffened, and