Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 25

Natalia’s lips quivered slightly as Victor’s thinly veiled insults pierced the air, tinged with a perverse delight in her discomfort. Deep down, she knew she was supposed to be impervious to such barbs, yet a chill still crawled through her veins.

In their elite social circle, she was barely considered a person, a sentiment shared by the likes of Hamilton. She faced Victor, striving to appear unassailable.

“Usurping a nest? What are you implying?”

“It’s quite simple: you’ve snagged Eveleen’s spot, Ms. Jenkins. I always thought you had the sense to know your place, but you seem to be clueless.” Victor sneered.

With a laugh, Natalia retorted, “How absurd. If Hamilton wanted Eveleen back, do you really think I could take her place? Or do you suppose I have the power to sway Hamilton’s will? Since he chose to keep me, this position is rightfully mine. Aren’t you all being a bit too nosy?”

“And another thing.” she paused for effect. “if I’m the bitch here, what does that make a man like you, who can’t seem to stop thinking about me? A dog that can’t walk past the scent of meat? Or a worthless cur, itching for something you can’t have and ungrateful for what you get?”

Victor’s smirk vanished. He did yearn for Natalia, a longing that intensified ever since Hamilton made him listen to those suggestive noises over the phone. Now, Natalia’s brazen words ignited a fire within him. He promised himself that once he had her, he would humiliate her thoroughly before casting her aside. He wondered how sharp her tongue would be by then.

“Ms. Jenkins, do you even understand the meaning of shame?” he spat.

Standing up, Natalia retorted, “Why should I bother with shame when speaking to someone who knows none?”

With that, she left the garden, exhaling a sigh of relief only once she was out of sight. Back at the office, she caught Eveleen rifling through her purse, holding her antiabortifacient.

“Eveleen!” Natalia exclaimed, snatching the bottle back.

Eveleen smirked coldly. “What’s this, Natalia? Got a deadly disease?”

“It’s none of your business,” Natalia replied, tucking the medicine back into her bag.

“A child with any upbringing knows not to snoop through others‘ belongings. Is this the extent of your class?”

Laughing dismissively, Eveleen retorted, “I reserve manners for those who deserve them, not for a bastard like you.”

The word ‘bastard‘ stung Natalia, a label she had carried for years, one she never imagined would afflict her child.

Struggling to maintain her composure, Natalia didn’t want to argue, knowing it would end in her

14:35

Chapter 25

shoot for the endorsement? It would

trouble.”

incompetence has caused this mess,

you available?”

to

left, leaving Natalia to glance at the tight grip she had on her medication. She didn’t return to Hamilton’s office but instead called him and left the company. Once outside. she dialed another number. “Dad,

to reach Eveleen’s agent again, Natalia rubbed her temples. The intentional stonewalling was painfully clear. Turning to

are

just a call to see if there’s a chance. I want to leak some fake news and put some

was way better

a frown, shaking her head. “She

her nose bridge and

dialed Lyra’s

brands, and

with Ivy Gemstone. After all, scoring an endorsement from one of the top

then continued, “But we really can’t do it this time. I’ve done my research on Mr. Fowler’s relationship with Eveleen. We don’t care much about her, but Mr. Fowler is the last person we’d want to offend. If

hung

asked, “Any luck?”

endorsement to

another number, and a voice answered

the intrusion. We’re looking to discuss a potential collaboration

14:35

Chapter 25

Could you have her reach out to me? Sure, thanks. How about dinner sometime to show

chuckled. “Some time? Let’s do

agreed, “Okay, tonight it is. I’ll book a place and let you

phone

Gideon Media. A sleazeball whose reputation for making his rounds

him twice,

hands and not–so–subtle moves were always part of the package. But Hamilton’s presence had kept him in check, preventing him from going too far