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 not even your own flesh

you carry

Jenkins. I am

“Natalia, how about you give me a child? If you do, I

in disgust, slapping his hand away and

bustling, and with that slap,

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

could fall,

hell is meddling?” Graham’s roar was met

made Graham shrink

eyes darkened, his grip on Graham’s

disdain, Hamilton released

again, it won’t just be

pale from pain but not daring to retaliate, glared at Natalia before

eyes were slightly red as she

Mr. Fowler.”

remained expressionless, “Has he ever touched you at home?”

face, grope her backside. Her mother had fought with him countless times over it, but he never changed his

she left for college. But she couldn’t

his gaze, she

don’t want to see this happen again.”

showing up at the

next time.

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14:19

Chapter 5

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

leave.”

was bitter.

coldly. “Well, then I won’t

Natalia nodded, “Alright.”

heading to a window–side

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

her and headed for the door. Women came and went in Hamilton’s life like birds of passage. Natalia had

she couldn’t help feeling a sting in her heart. Her hand instinctively tightened over her

thought, perhaps it was for the best that

entrance, she took a deep breath, managed her composure and walked

company chat was abuzz with talk of her resignation.

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

boldness, others commented on Mr. Fowler’s

glanced inside and

less caring about. Even if she was

the room

at the sight of Natalia.

it true you’re resigning?”

swept over her colleagues. She nodded, “Wishing

began packing