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?”

door and dragged off by security.” Tess shuddered at the thought. “They say Orpheus was sent flying out of the

15. 15.

as shocked, they humed pate is ghosts.

be a rubines when he needs for teen

she contemplated the turn of the fast

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

Hamiliars gentility was just

the epitome of courtesy and grace. But

truly kind? Natalia’s mind suddenly wandered to

sweet boy into the man he was now? It was

to dwell on them. After all, that man no longer

reports from her desk and headed to

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

them back to Natalia, he looked up and asked, “How’s your arm

offered a polite, detached smile, “Much

your health?” he probed further.

for a moment and continued, “Fine as

“Don’t overdo it. Delegate what you can.”

do.” She hesitated before asking, “Anything

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

“I’ve got work to attend to.”

he finally asked, “The class

surprised he

she said. Then, after a moment, she added, “If

come.”

Chapter 82

to accompany her to the reunion, she had felt

What was the point of bringing him as her boyfriend? After all, that was all just a

gaze lingered on her, which was inscrutable. And he finally said, “Since I promised you, I intend to keep

I’ll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t worry. He won’t be there.”

a solid reason to go? Or do you have something to hide, something you fear that

with a touch

“Then stop trying to convince me otherwise. It’s perfectly normal to bring a

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

she forced a smile, “Alright. Then, Mr. Fowler, please be sure to

on time.”