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!”

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

because you carry the

am your father!”

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

recoiled in disgust, slapping his hand away and then

shop was bustling, and with that slap, all eyes turned

lunged, grabbing Natalia’s collar, his hand raised

his hand could fall, someone grabbed his

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

sight of Hamilton made Graham shrink back.

his grip on Graham’s wrist tightening until the

Hamilton

you near the company again, it won’t just be an arm you’ll be worrying

but not daring to retaliate, glared at Natalia

red

Mr. Fowler.”

face remained expressionless, “Has he ever touched

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

until she left for college. But she couldn’t possibly

gaze, she simply said,

“I don’t want

showing up

next time. I’m going to resign

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14:19

Chapter 5

him, “It seems Ms. Jenkins is determined

leave.”

voice was

then I won’t keep Ms. Jenkins

Natalia nodded, “Alright.”

her before heading

notice a woman with Hamilton, who was watching her

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

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

it was for the best that she was

company entrance, she took a deep breath, managed

abuzz with talk of her resignation.

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

others commented on Mr. Fowler’s

inside and quickly backed out.

gossip 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

her office door, the room fell into an

the sight of

it true you’re resigning?”

She nodded, “Wishing

packing her things quietly.