All Chapters of Competing for Love: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Hayden had been sitting next to Natalia for over two hours. Doctors and nurses came and went, but he didn't move. He was not leaving her, no matter what. As he sat there looking at her damaged body, the rage in him was building. He turned when he heard a knock on the door, expecting it to be medical personnel, but it was a detective who he was familiar with. Detective Dennis Barber had been with the NYPD for twelve years. He was known for being thorough on cases when others thought there was no foul play. When Dr. Garnier had called and said her findings were inconclusive on if Natalia Crawford had been pushed or not, it had piqued his interest. Then she added that Hayden Sumner was her boyfriend and stated he may know of people who wanted to harm the young woman. Dennis knew he had to take this case. He had worked with Hayden before and knew he was one of the few good billionaires in the city. "Good evening Hayden. I've been assigned Natalia's case and wanted to talk to you for

Cara cried the entire way to the police station. She realized she had made a mistake. She should have never come to New York. Now she didn't know when she would ever see her children again. When they got to the station, she was taken to an interrogation room and left alone. Dennis made a call after securing Cara. He wanted to know if they had any luck getting Shania. He was concerned that she might disappear if they didn't catch her before she learned of her cousin's arrest. "Hey, Mason, did you have any luck?" He asked the officer who was sent to Shania's apartment. "No, she's not here. I'm watching her building to see if she comes home, and I have someone monitoring her credit card activity. In the morning, getting a warrant may be a good idea, so we can also track her phone." Dennis rubbed his head while holding back his groan. He liked Mason because he was thorough, but sometimes he didn't know when to stay in his lane. "Already in the works, kid. Let me know

Natalia felt like she was lost in a dark place with no end and no beginning. Several times she had wanted to give up and let the darkness take her, but something always brought her back. It was a voice in the distance. She didn't know who it was, but it was calling to her. She kept trying to get to that voice, but something was holding her back. Every time she thought she was almost there, a fog came over her and sent her back to where she had started from. She was determined to make it; she was going to find the owner of that voice.___________ Natalia had been unconscious for five days. Each day she had a little more movement. Sometimes, her fingers or toes would move. Other times her eyelids fluttered like they were going to open, but they never did. Hayden hadn't left her bedside other than to use the restroom or freshen up. Patrice or Will would bring him clothes each day and sit with Natalia while he was away. The hospital staff kept him fed. He was grateful bec

Natalia couldn't believe what Dennis had said. How did she ruin Jon's life? All she did was break up with him after he broke her heart. "I didn't ruin his life. He cheated on me, and I broke up with him. I don't understand why he's looking for me now." Natalia gripped Hayden's hand. Why were all these people trying to hurt her? Cliff, Cara, and now Jon. "Shania said he didn't get into specifics, but he said after you broke up with him, it ruined him and made him how he is now." Hayden could tell that Dennis was holding something back. "What are you not telling us? How did Shania get with him?" He looked into Natalia's eyes, and his heart ached for the fear he saw there. "According to Shania, he picked her up after Cara was arrested. He convinced her to go with him to his hotel, where he had held her hostage for the past five days. I won't get into the details of what they did, but she said he was sick and was planning on killing her after he was done with her. Sh

Natalia spent a week in the hospital after changing rooms. The doctors said she was now ready to go home. Hayden had talked Linnette into retiring from her job at the hospital to stay with them full-time. In exchange, she would live with them, receiving double her salary until Natalia no longer needed a nurse. Hayden said he would give her enough money to retire comfortably and enjoy her grandchildren. Linnette had wanted to refuse, but she couldn't pass up this opportunity. Her body was tired, and it was getting harder and harder for her to be on her feet all day. She turned in her notice to the hospital effective immediately. Hayden arranged with Natalia's permission to have her desk and office furniture moved out of the second bedroom so they could set it up for Linnette. Patrice and Will oversaw everything, including meeting the furniture delivery people with the furniture they bought for Linnette. The nurse had moved in the day before and would be waiting when Hayden a