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

definitely need to beef up

nearly collapsed with relief, managing to muster

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

turned to Hamilton, her voice soft, "Thank you," before heading straight

frown deepened at her gratitude but held his

"What on 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

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

was grim,

How? This isn't the first time, is 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 face was a

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

He would protect Natalia.

those who insulted her, and erase

But Eveleen?

only promise detachment, treating her as

couldn't guarantee anything

for loving you for a decade. Hamilton, you don't

at Hamilton,

has

a look, "Anyone who associates with him

the hell does this have

at Scarlett's words, "What did you

confront Hamilton, but her sympathy for Natalia

should Hamilton remain clueless to all of Natalia's

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

finally asked, "You're saying,

eyes welled with

of it made her heart ache, not

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