Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 5

Just as Natalia left the hospital, her phone buzzing incessantly in her purse.

Tess’s voice came through, tinged with urgency. “Boss, your dad’s causing a scene at the office again. You’d better get here fast. Mr. Fowler’s gonna blow his top if he finds out.”

Natalia felt a sudden knot in her brow as she hung up and rushed to the company.

Stepping into the lobby, she found Graham lounging on a sofa, puffing away like a chimney.

“Put out the cigarette.” Her voice was cold, her face a mask of barely contained anger.

Graham chuckled, “Alright, I’ll do what my daughter says.”

Natalia’s headache intensified just looking at him. “Let’s talk outside.”

She ushered Graham out to a nearby coffee shop beneath the company’s towering office. building.

As they entered. Graham broke into a grin. “My little girl’s done well for herself, hanging out in places this fancy!”

Natalia eyed him, “If you’re not scared of Hamilton, feel free to keep showing up to bother me.”

Graham scoffed, “Scare me with what? You think Hamilton can stop me from seeing my own. daughter?”

“You’re welcome to test Hamilton’s limits, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. If he steps in, your little ‘insanity plea‘ won’t save you!”

Years ago, after Natalia’s mother had been pushed into a tragic accident by Graham, Natalia had been determined to put him behind bars. But Graham had somehow obtained a document certifying mental illness and escaped punishment. It was something Natalia could never let go of.

Seeing that she wasn’t joking, Graham’s smirk faded. “Just give me money, and I swear I’ll never come here again!”

“I don’t have money!” Natalia cut him off without hesitation.

Graham had recently gotten into gambling and had come begging for money more than once.

Natalia truly had none. To prevent Graham from getting to her funds, she had allocated everything to her mother’s medical bills.

“Bullshit!” Graham bellowed, “You work at this upscale company and you’re telling me you’ve got no cash?”

Passersby started to turn their heads their way.

Natalia fought to keep her anger in check, attempting to stay as calm as she could.

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Chapter 5

“Do you even know how much my mom’s medical bills are each month? Have you ever contributed a dime since her accident? How can you have the audacity to ask me for money?”

“Why the hell should I pay for her medical bills!” Graham roared, “She never gave me a child, and now she expects me to pay? Dream on!”

him. “Then why should I give you money? I’m

you carry the

I am

reached for Natalia’s hand, “Natalia, how about you give me a child? If you do, I promise to take care of your mother. Then she’s the

slapping his hand away

coffee shop was bustling, and with that slap, all

you hit me!” Graham lunged, grabbing Natalia’s collar, his hand raised to strike

his hand could fall, someone grabbed his wrist.

is meddling?” Graham’s roar was met with

Hamilton made Graham

on Graham’s wrist tightening until the

Hamilton released him.

near the company again, it won’t just be an arm

to retaliate, glared

red as she composed herself.

Mr. Fowler.”

a chilly aura, though his face remained expressionless, “Has he ever touched

trembled faintly. Since she turned eighteen, Graham would occasionally touch her face, grope her backside. Her

But she couldn’t possibly share that with Hamilton.

gaze, she simply said,

“I don’t want to see this happen again.”

up at the office.

a next time.

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14:19

Chapter 5

eyes narrowed, a cold laugh escaping him, “It seems Ms. Jenkins

leave.”

was bitter. “Yes.”

I won’t keep Ms. Jenkins from resigning.”

Natalia nodded, “Alright.”

heading to

who was watching her with a mix of challenge and mockery in her eyes.

and went in Hamilton’s life like birds of passage.

in her heart. Her hand instinctively tightened over

best that she was leaving. She’d

she took a deep breath, managed her composure and walked

the company chat was abuzz with talk of

last night at the Crest Club had leaked, and

Fowler’s ruthlessness, but most gossiped about Natalia’s alleged blunder.

and quickly backed

gossip was a never–ending saga she had no interest in following, much less caring about. Even if she was the

door, the room fell into an immediate hush.

at the sight of

true you’re resigning?”

She nodded, “Wishing

began packing her