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 hospital

collapsed with relief, managing to muster a "Thank

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

"Thank you," before

at her gratitude but held his

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 pile of the

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

was grim, "I'll handle

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

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

He would protect Natalia.

those who insulted her, and erase those despicable

But Eveleen?

promise detachment, treating her as

couldn't guarantee anything

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

hurled the flyers at

struck squarely, protested, "This has

"Anyone who associates with

was taken aback, "What the hell does this have to do

hitched at Scarlett's

but her sympathy for Natalia

remain clueless to

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

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

welled with unshed

ache, not to

of cash? Or did you think, if she really wanted to, she couldn't find someone who'd truly cherish her?" Hamilton's