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?”

And I heard Orpheus Fowler got the boot from Mr. Fowler himself, kicked right out the door and dragged off by security.” Tess shuddered at the thought. “They say Orpheus was sent flying out of the office, coughing up blood on the spot.

15. 15.

pate is ghosts. Boss, how can Mr.

he needs for teen

towered her gase Her eile Inded as she contemplated the turn of the

maintained a gentlemanly demeanor at work, yet she

alen know that Hamiliars gentility was just

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

anything but truly kind? Natalia’s mind suddenly

such a sweet boy into the man he was now?

sigh, she pulled herself from these thoughts, choosing not to dwell on them. After all, that man no longer belonged

reports from her desk and headed

documents in front of Harnilton, “Mr. Fowler, I need your signature on these two

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

detached smile,

your health?” he

and continued, “Fine as well.”

overdo it. Delegate what you

before asking, “Anything else,

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

got work to attend

slightly before he finally asked, “The

was surprised

she added, “If you’re busy, Mr. Fowler, you don’t have

come.”

Chapter 82

offered to accompany her to the reunion, she had felt

away. What was the point of bringing him as

said, “Since I promised you, I intend to

at Hamilton, “Are you worried I’ll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t worry. He

I really need a solid reason to go? Or do you have something

Natalia replied with a touch of exasperated feeling.

perfectly normal to bring a boyfriend to a class reunion, right,

one day, these terms of endearment

forced a smile, “Alright. Then, Mr.

on time.”