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.

humed pate is ghosts. Boss, how can Mr.

be a rubines when he needs for

gase Her eile Inded as she contemplated the turn

demeanor at work, yet she wouldn’t

alen know that Hamiliars gentility

an outsider, he was the epitome of courtesy and grace. But those who knew him understood

mind suddenly wandered to Hamilton as a child. Back then, he was a tearful

sweet boy into the man he was now?

not to dwell on them.

her desk and headed to the CEO’s

she placed the documents in front of Harnilton, “Mr. Fowler, I need your

back to Natalia, he

detached smile, “Much better.”

he

and continued, “Fine as well.”

“Don’t overdo it.

asking, “Anything else, Mr. Fowler?”

watched her for a moment in silence. “Are

didn’t deny it, “I’ve got work to attend

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

surprised he

after a moment, she added, “If you’re busy, Mr. Fowler, you don’t have to

come.”

Chapter 82

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

was the point of bringing him

gaze lingered on her, which was inscrutable. And he finally said, “Since I

“Are you worried I’ll meet someone

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

with a

perfectly normal to bring

her heart. She had never imagined that one day, these terms of endearment would become the last thing she wanted to hear.

“Alright. Then, Mr. Fowler, please be sure

on time.”