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?”

off by security.” Tess shuddered at the thought. “They say Orpheus was sent flying

15. 15.

humed pate is ghosts. Boss, how can Mr.

rubines when he needs for teen couldn’t help but

gase Her eile Inded as she

she wouldn’t have ques and he’d physically confront

know that Hamiliars

and grace. But those who

Natalia’s mind suddenly wandered to Hamilton as a child. Back then, he was

hardened such a sweet boy into the man

thoughts, choosing not to dwell on

picked up the reports from her desk and headed to the

of Harnilton, “Mr. Fowler, I need

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

detached

he probed further.

for a moment and

it. Delegate what you can.”

asking,

her for a moment in silence. “Are you

“I’ve got work to attend to.”

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

surprised

added, “If you’re

come.”

Chapter 82

first offered to accompany her to the reunion, she had felt a flicker

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

said, “Since I promised you, I

worried I’ll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t

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

with a touch

perfectly normal to bring a boyfriend to a class

She had never imagined that one day, these terms of

deep breath, she forced a smile, “Alright. Then,

on time.”