Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Hamilton’s brow furrowed instantly. “You sure about that?”

Natalia’s face was still a shade paler than usual. “Yes.”

If she couldn’t be certain the first couple of times, there was no mistaking it today.

“When did you notice?”

“Just these past few days.”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed slightly, and his long fingers gently lifted her chin. “Someone who had a grudge against your mom?”

Natalia pressed her lips together in a thin line. “Maybe.”

She wasn’t entirely sure. But apart from Patrick and Lucinda, she couldn’t think of anyone else.

“I’ll have Killian follow you around.”

Killian was Hamilton’s personal bodyguard.

Natalia pursed her lips and nodded.

Hamilton pinched her cheek gently. “Don’t overthink it, you’ll be fine.”

Natalia’s lips moved as if to speak, but eventually, she said nothing more. Yet, somewhere deep down, she couldn’t shake off a feeling of unease.

After they left, a black sedan slowly pulled up to the curb.

Quill was behind the wheel; Orpheus, with a bruise marring his face, sat in the passenger seat. and in the back was Eveleen.

Eveleen looked absolutely furious. “I told you to make your move quickly, but no, you had to dawdle. Now look where we are; she spotted us before we could grab her. Useless, all of you!”

Quill was seething. “Easy for you to say. Why don’t you fucking try kidnapping someone in broad daylight?”

Eveleen’s voice dripped with arrogance. “Who gave you the right to speak to me like that?”

In her eyes, these desperadoes had no business even being in her presence.

Orpheus clicked his tongue. “Enough, Ms. Schafer. You wanted to partner up with us for this job. You didn’t want to get your hands dirty and raise Hamilton’s suspicions, yet you expected us to jump at your command? How is that supposed to work? Since you’ve come to us, let us handle our business. You want that woman dead, right? Consider it done.”

Eveleen glared at Orpheus. “You better make sure of it.”

With that, she put on her sunglasses and mask and stepped out of the car.

Once Eveleen was out of earshot, Quill asked, “Is she for real? Hamilton doesn’t even seem to care that much about her.”

Orpheus, toying with a lighter in his hand, sneered. “Ever heard the saying, ‘first love’s tears weigh its weight in gold‘?”

Everyone who knew Hamilton knew how much he cared about Eveleen. If it weren’t for the fact that she was a celebrity, stirring up a huge fuss if she were touched, he would have thought kidnapping Eveleen would be more effective.

But now, even though he had his sights set on Natalia, working with Eveleen wasn’t a bad deal.

Hamilton took Natalia straight back to his apartment.

“The security here is tighter than at your place. Stay here for a while.”

Natalia was silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Hamilton wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into an embrace. “Scared?”

Natalia couldn’t deny it. “A little.”

Hamilton pinched her cheek playfully. “You’re not so brave now. What happened to that boldness when you were talking back at me?”

Natalia bit her lip and fell silent.

Hamilton didn’t leave the house that afternoon, choosing to stay and keep her company. But Natalia was distracted the whole time. She had this nagging feeling that something was bound

to happen.

Hamilton pulled her close. “How about we do something else to take your mind off things?”

Natalia frowned and pushed him away. “Hamilton, I’m not in the mood.”

But his kiss landed firmly on her lips.

Natalia resisted briefly before being held even tighter by Hamilton.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”

The tension that had been building in Natalia all day eased under his comforting words, and she slowly relaxed.

Hamilton didn’t push further but instead took her for a bath before tucking her back into bed.

Just as Natalia was settling down, her phone rang. It was her mother’s caregiver. Her heart leaped into her throat.

“Hello, what’s the matter at this hour?”

“Ms. Jenkins, there’s been a complication with your mother. The doctors are in there trying to revive her now.”

Natalia felt a buzz in her head. “What happened?”

12:55

“I don’t know. She was fine this afternoon, and then suddenly, she had a cardiac arrest

A tightness gripped Natalia’s chest. “I’ll be right there.”

She hung up and scrambled into her clothes.

Hamilton caught her wrist. “What’s wrong?”

“My mom’s critical” Natalia’s tone was steady, but her voice trembled uncontrollably.

Hamilton’s expression darkened, “I’ll drive you there.”

Natalia nodded.

When they arrived at the hospital, Tatiana was still in resuscitation, and the doctor handed Natalia the critical condition notice,

Natalia’s hands shook as she signed the paperwork, and Hamilton steadied her hand as she scrawled her name.

After signing, she sat to the side, her eyes reddening.

Hamilton held her hand tightly. “Don’t worry, she’ll be alright.”

Natalia nodded, her mind a blank slate.

Hamilton’s phone rang at that moment. The familiar ringtone made her body tense up.

Hamilton glanced at her before stepping aside to take the call

Moments later, he returned with a grim expression. “Eveleen’s had a run–in with a stalker fan. She’s hurt, and I need to go.”

Natalia clenched her fists, her eyes welling up as she fought back tears. “Do you have?”

1

Hamilton’s brow creased instantly. “Killian will be here soon. Be good, and call me if you need anything.”

After saying that, he left without looking back.

Natalia watched his retreating figure, feeling a lump in her throat that wouldn’t let her breathe. How long she sat there, she couldn’t tell, swallowing the bitterness that threatened to overcome her until she was eventually informed by a nurse that Tatiana was out of danger and moved to the ICU.

Natalia staggered to her feet, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her. As she wobbled, a steady hand caught her.

Only then did she notice that Killian had arrived, seemingly out of nowhere.

“Ms. Jenkins, are you alright?” he asked with a note of concern.

She managed a weary smile. “I’m okay; thanks for your help.”

12:55

Killian shook his head. “It’s my duty to look after you.”

Without a reply, Natalia steadied herself and headed for the ICU. As she reached the door, the doctor emerged.

“How’s my mom doing, Doc?” she inquired, her voice heavy with worry.

“She’s out of the woods for now, but I won’t sugarcoat it; this could happen again. You should brace yourself for that possibility.” the doctor advised.

Natalia nodded her thanks to the doctor and stood outside the ICU, lost in thought.

The caretaker Debby patted her gently on the back. “Your mom’s a fighter. She’ll pull through.” Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Natalia bit her lip and murmured an acknowledgment.

She spent the entire night in the hospital, and as dawn began to break, the caretaker Debby started urging her to leave.

“Ms. Jenkins, you should head home and get some rest. I’ve got it covered here, and you can’t go into the ICU anyway. No use standing watch here,” Debby reasoned.

But Natalia shook her head; she couldn’t shake her concern. “You’ve been up all night, too. Why don’t you take a break?”

“Oh, I’m used to it. Can’t sleep much at my age. But you look pale as a ghost. If you fall ill, who’s going to be here for your mom?” Debby chided gently.

Natalia was indeed not feeling great, her head spinning in waves. She had been nursing a cold that hadn’t entirely cleared up, and now, after a night of vigil, her heart was pounding erratically.

After a moment of silence, she conceded, “Alright, but please call me if anything happens.”

Stepping out of the hospital, Natalia finally allowed herself a deep breath.

Killian drove out of the hospital parking lot.

The streets were unusually quiet in the early morning. Natalia gazed out the window in a daze, but suddenly, a loud bang jolted her from her reverie.

Startled, she turned to Killian as he announced, “Blown tire.”

He was focused, trying to steady the car, when suddenly a truck appeared from the opposite direction, barreling straight toward them.

Killian swerved hard, but the truck still hit them squarely.

The driver’s side crumpled upon impact, trapping Killian’s legs within the twisted metal.

Natalia was thrown against the airbag, saved from serious injury. Still disoriented from the crash, she heard Killian’s urgent shout.

“Ms. Jenkins, get out of the car and run!”