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!”

money? I’m not even your own flesh and

you

Jenkins. I am your

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

disgust, slapping his hand away

and with that slap, all

Graham lunged, grabbing Natalia’s collar,

could fall, someone grabbed his wrist.

the hell is meddling?” Graham’s roar was met with Hamilton’s icy stare.

Hamilton made

eyes darkened, his grip on Graham’s wrist

disdain, Hamilton released

it won’t just be an arm you’ll be worrying about.”

pain but not daring to retaliate, glared

red as she composed herself.

you, Mr. Fowler.”

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

turned eighteen, Graham would occasionally touch her face, grope her backside. Her mother had fought

for college. But she couldn’t

gaze, she simply said, “No.”

darkened, “I don’t want

Graham showing up at the

a next time. I’m going to

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Chapter 5

him, “It

leave.”

was

then I won’t keep Ms. Jenkins from

Natalia nodded, “Alright.”

glanced at her before heading

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

her and headed for the door. Women came and went in Hamilton’s life

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

the best that she was

breath, managed her composure and walked in with

company chat was abuzz with talk

incident from last night at the Crest Club had leaked, and the opinions varied.

boldness, others commented on Mr. Fowler’s ruthlessness, but most

glanced inside and quickly

interest in following, much less caring about. Even if she was the gossip’s main attraction at the

door, the room

at the sight of

true

swept over her colleagues. She nodded, “Wishing you all the best of luck.”

began packing her things