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!”

should I give you money? I’m not even your own

you carry

Jenkins. I am your father!”

Graham’s face twisted into a lecherous grin. He 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

his hand away and then

shop was bustling, and with that slap, all eyes

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

his hand could fall, someone

Graham’s roar was met

sight of Hamilton made Graham

darkened, his grip on Graham’s wrist tightening until

disdain, Hamilton released

out! If I see you near the company again, it won’t just be an arm you’ll be worrying about.”

pale from pain but not daring to

slightly red as she composed

you, Mr. Fowler.”

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

occasionally touch her face, grope her backside. Her mother had fought

left for college. But she couldn’t possibly

gaze, she simply said, “No.”

don’t want to see this happen again.”

Graham showing up at the office.

next time. I’m going to resign

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14:19

Chapter 5

eyes narrowed, a cold laugh escaping him, “It

leave.”

voice was

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

Natalia nodded, “Alright.”

glanced at her before heading to a

notice a woman with Hamilton, who was watching

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

instinctively

best that she was leaving. She’d forget Hamilton

a deep breath, managed her composure

company chat was abuzz with talk of her

Crest Club had leaked, and the

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

and quickly backed

less caring about. Even if she was

open her office door, the room fell into an immediate hush.

the sight of

true you’re resigning?”

swept over her colleagues. She nodded, “Wishing you all the

that, she began packing her things quietly.