Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 82

Natalia thought she could shrug off the rumors like a light dusting of snow from her shoulders. But the whispers and stores that followed her through the office comidors all afternoon were enough to chill her bones. It was uncomfortable, to say the least.

Hamilton paused mid–stride, arching an eyebrow at her.

“Giselle’s getting the boot.” He promised.

A laugh escaped Natalia’s lips, “Good.”

That must be the biggest concession Hamilton was willing to make. He wouldn’t step forward to squash the rumors himself. After all, by doing so, he’d practically be confirming their relationship to the world.

Of course, that would also mean admitting that the real homewrecker was Eveleen all this long.

And when it came to Eveleen, Hamilton would never act against her.

So, firing Giselle seemed like the best solution; it would shatter the gossip without exposing their relationship.

Just perfect.

By the next morning, word of Giselle’s dismissal spread through the company like wildfire. The tongues that had wagged about Natalia now lay still.

Yet some things, once rooted in the heart, were hard to uproot. Especially for this kind of salacious rumor

Natalia knew that all too well. Though the chatter had ceased, she could still feel the weight of weird glances from her colleagues. But it seemed all she could do was pretend not to

notice.

After the morning meeting, as Natalia was gathering her reports to update Hamilton on their progress, Tess burst in.

“Boss, Giselle’s been canned!” She cried with excitement.

Natalia nodded in acknowledgment, “Yeah, I heard.”

“Now let’s see who dares spread lies about you,” Tess was puffing up with a triumphant air.

“Pfft, Eveleen’s cousin or not, she still got the axe. Boss, I’ve gotta say that Mr. Fowler’s a decent man.”

Natalia couldn’t help but chuckle, “Decent? Remember when he almost fired you?”

got the boot from Mr. Fowler himself, kicked right out the door and dragged off by security.” Tess shuddered at

15. 15.

they humed pate is

be a rubines when he needs for teen couldn’t help but

eile Inded as she contemplated

at work, yet she wouldn’t have ques and he’d physically confront

that Hamiliars gentility was

he was the epitome of courtesy and grace. But those who knew him understood his

over the Fowler empire at nineteen be anything but truly kind? Natalia’s mind suddenly wandered to Hamilton as a child. Back then,

could have hardened such a sweet boy into the man he was

dwell on them. After all, that man no

her desk and headed to the CEO’s office.

in front of Harnilton, “Mr. Fowler,

his name. Instead of handing them back to Natalia, he looked up and asked, “How’s your arm

a polite, detached smile,

your health?” he

paused for a moment and

it. Delegate

do.” She hesitated before asking, “Anything else,

silence. “Are you in such a hurry?” he

deny it, “I’ve got work to attend

narrowed slightly before he finally asked, “The class reunion

surprised he remembered.

said. Then, after a moment, she added, “If you’re

come.”

Chapter 82

offered to accompany her to the

night, all excitement had drained away. What was the point of bringing him

finally said, “Since I promised you,

and looked at Hamilton, “Are you worried I’ll meet someone at the

need a solid reason to go? Or do you have something to hide,

replied with a

snorted, “Then stop trying to convince me otherwise. It’s perfectly normal to bring a boyfriend to a class reunion, right, my

a pang of sadness gripped her heart. She had never imagined that one day, these terms of endearment would become the last

a smile, “Alright. Then, Mr. Fowler, please

on time.”