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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14:19 M

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!”

money? I’m not even your own flesh and

you

I am your father!”

child? If you do, I promise to take care of your mother. Then she’s

recoiled in disgust, slapping his hand away and then his face.

bustling, and with that slap, all eyes

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

could fall, someone grabbed his

hell is meddling?” Graham’s roar

sight of Hamilton made

on Graham’s wrist tightening

Hamilton released

again, it won’t just be an arm you’ll be

not daring to retaliate, glared at Natalia before

red as she

you, Mr.

aura, though his face remained expressionless, “Has

faintly. Since she turned eighteen, Graham would occasionally touch her face, grope her backside. Her mother had fought with him countless times over it, but he never

But she couldn’t possibly share that with Hamilton.

she simply said, “No.”

“I don’t want to see

Graham showing up

next time. I’m going to resign immediately.”

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14:19

Chapter 5

cold laugh escaping him, “It seems Ms. Jenkins is

leave.”

voice was

scoffed coldly. “Well, then I won’t keep Ms. Jenkins from

Natalia nodded, “Alright.”

her before heading to a window–side

Hamilton, who was watching her with a mix of

door. Women came and went in Hamilton’s life like birds of passage. Natalia had always

hand instinctively tightened over her belly. the bitterness within threatening to

that she was leaving. She’d forget Hamilton

the company entrance, she took a deep breath, managed her composure and

abuzz with talk of her

from last night at the Crest Club

on Mr. Fowler’s ruthlessness,

and

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

her office door, the room fell into an

eyes reddened at the sight

is it true

over her colleagues. She nodded,

that, she began packing her