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?”

Fowler himself, kicked right out the door and dragged off by security.” Tess shuddered at the thought. “They say Orpheus

15. 15.

smooctanes were as shocked, they humed pate is ghosts. Boss, how can Mr. Fowler took

needs for teen couldn’t help but shaver nasin

Inded as she contemplated the turn of the fast

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

the alen know that Hamiliars gentility was just a

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

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

could have hardened such a sweet boy into the man he was now? It was a puzzle beyond her

choosing not to dwell on them. After

picked up the reports from her desk and headed to

of Harnilton, “Mr.

Instead of handing them back

polite, detached smile,

health?” he probed

a moment and continued, “Fine as

overdo it. Delegate what

before asking,

watched her for a moment in silence. “Are you in such

didn’t deny it, “I’ve got work

eyes narrowed slightly before he finally asked, “The class reunion is this weekend, right?”

was surprised he remembered.

after a moment, she added, “If you’re busy,

come.”

Chapter 82

to the reunion, she

after what happened that night, all excitement had drained away. What was the point of bringing him as her boyfriend? After all, that was all

was inscrutable. And he finally said, “Since I promised you, I intend to keep

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

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

a

me otherwise. It’s perfectly normal to bring a boyfriend to a class

at the corners as a pang of sadness gripped her heart. She had never imagined that one day, these terms of endearment would become the last thing she wanted to hear. Words that once symbolized sweetness now

breath, she forced a smile, “Alright.

on time.”