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?”

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

15. 15.

humed pate is ghosts. Boss, how

when he needs for teen couldn’t help but

Inded as she contemplated the turn of

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

the alen know that Hamiliars gentility

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

Natalia’s mind suddenly

have hardened such a sweet boy into the man he was now?

pulled herself from these thoughts, choosing not to dwell

up the reports from her desk and headed to the CEO’s

the documents in front of Harnilton, “Mr.

them back to Natalia, he looked up

a polite, detached smile,

health?” he

paused for a moment and

absentmindedly, “Don’t overdo it. Delegate what you

She hesitated before asking, “Anything else, Mr. Fowler?”

moment in silence. “Are you

“I’ve got work to attend

before he finally asked, “The class reunion is this weekend,

was surprised

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

come.”

Chapter 82

to the

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

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

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

Or do you have something to hide, something you fear

with a touch

It’s perfectly normal to bring a boyfriend to a class reunion, right, my girlfriend?”

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

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

on time.”