Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 265

Natalia couldn't shake the feeling of unease, even as she walked away from the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the construction site. As the crowd dispersed, she noticed Hamilton standing by the entrance, busy on a call. Smiling, she made her way over to him. But just then, someone bumped into her hard. "Oh, I'm sorry," she blurted out automatically, without thinking. It was only when she looked up that her heart skipped a beat. Quill! Her face drained of color as the figure walked past her. "Hamilton, that guy-" she started, but before she could finish, Quill turned sharply, his hand flashing with something metallic and dangerous. Natalia barely had time to process what was happening before she saw Quill charging towards Hamilton, a knife in hand. "Hamilton!" Natalia screamed, acting on instinct. She threw herself in front of Hamilton, shielding him with her own body. Hamilton, caught off guard, quickly pulled Natalia to the side, narrowly avoiding the knife.

Quill lunged again, but this time Hamilton was ready. He kicked Quill away, and the security guards, who had been stationed nearby, quickly subdued him.

Natalia, pale and shaking, watched the scene unfold before her. Hamilton, his expression grim, pulled her close. "Natalia, are you out of your mind?" Natalia looked up at him, her voice barely a whisper, "Are you hurt?"

For a moment, Hamilton's composure cracked as he hugged her tightly. "Hamilton, are you injured?" Natalia asked again, her voice trembling. Hamilton didn't answer, just held her closer, his concern evident. After a moment, he asked, "Did he hurt you?"

"No," she whispered back, shaking her head.

it was?" Hamilton's voice was low,

I didn't want to owe you," Natalia

expression darkened. Just then, Ronin appeared, running

here. I'm taking her to the hospital," he

Scarlett arrived, out of breath, and after seeing Natalia was okay, she relaxed. Hamilton excused himself to make a call, and Scarlett turned to Natalia. "What were you thinking, jumping in front of a knife for Hamilton? He's a grown man; he doesn't need your protection." Natalia simply smiled. "I didn't think. It was

knowing that such

Natalia admitted with a small

pang of sadness. She knew how much Natalia had suffered for Hamilton and wasn't sure if a reconciliation was what she wanted for her friend - at least not without some

him, maybe you should give it another chance," Scarlett suggested