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!”

you money? I’m not even your own

because you carry

I am

give me a child? If you do, I promise to take care of your mother. Then she’s the grandmother of my

slapping his hand away and then his

was bustling, and with that slap, all eyes

me!” Graham lunged, grabbing Natalia’s

fall, someone grabbed his

Graham’s roar was met with Hamilton’s

of Hamilton made Graham shrink back.

on Graham’s wrist tightening until the man

Hamilton released

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

daring to retaliate, glared at

red as she composed herself.

you, Mr.

was radiating a chilly aura, though his face remained

occasionally touch her face, grope her backside. Her mother had fought with him countless times over it, but

But she couldn’t possibly share that with

his gaze, she simply

darkened, “I don’t want

Graham showing up at the office.

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

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14:19

Chapter 5

eyes narrowed, a cold laugh escaping him, “It seems

leave.”

voice was bitter. “Yes.”

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

Natalia nodded, “Alright.”

glanced at her before heading

Natalia notice a woman with Hamilton, who was watching her with a mix of

in Hamilton’s life like birds of passage. Natalia had always been

sting in her heart. Her hand instinctively tightened over her belly. the bitterness within threatening to

the best that she was leaving. She’d forget

breath, managed her composure

was abuzz

the Crest Club had leaked, and the opinions varied.

Mr. Fowler’s ruthlessness, but most gossiped about

glanced inside and quickly backed out.

was a never–ending saga she had no interest in following, much less caring about. Even if she was the gossip’s main attraction at the moment.

her office door, the room fell into an immediate

the sight of Natalia.

true

gaze swept over her colleagues. She nodded, “Wishing you

that, she began packing her