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 asked, "How's

police arrived in time. We definitely need to beef up hospital security from

nearly collapsed with relief, managing to muster a "Thank

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

"Thank you,"

her gratitude but

a long time. And I hear it's not

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

grim,

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

or did I hit a nerve?" Hamilton was at a loss

He would protect Natalia.

insulted her,

But Eveleen?

promise detachment, treating her as

guarantee

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

the flyers at Hamilton, inadvertently hitting

protested, "This has nothing to

shot him a look, "Anyone who associates with him is

taken aback, "What the hell does this have to

Scarlett's words, "What did you

intended to confront Hamilton, but her

should Hamilton remain clueless to all of Natalia's

for 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?

he finally asked, "You're saying, Natalia

welled

her heart ache,

only one in this world with a bit of cash? Or did you think, if