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!”

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

you carry

Jenkins. I am

face twisted into a lecherous grin. He reached for Natalia’s hand, “Natalia, how about you give me a child? If you do, I

recoiled in disgust, slapping his hand away and then his

that slap, all eyes turned to them.

lunged, grabbing Natalia’s collar, his hand raised to strike

hand could fall, someone grabbed his

Graham’s roar was met with Hamilton’s icy stare.

made Graham shrink back.

grip on Graham’s wrist tightening

disdain, Hamilton

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

from pain but not daring to retaliate,

eyes were slightly red

you, Mr. Fowler.”

was radiating a chilly aura, though his face remained expressionless,

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

college. But she couldn’t possibly

gaze, she

darkened, “I don’t want to see this happen

showing up at the office.

time.

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14:19

Chapter 5

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

leave.”

was

coldly. “Well, then I won’t keep

Natalia nodded, “Alright.”

heading to a

a woman with Hamilton, who was watching her with

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

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

it was for the best that she was leaving. She’d forget Hamilton one

breath, managed her composure and walked in with a smile.

the company chat was abuzz with talk of

the Crest Club had leaked,

commented on Mr. Fowler’s ruthlessness,

inside and quickly backed

in following, much less caring

her office door, the room fell into

at the sight of

is it true you’re resigning?”

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

she began packing