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 got the boot from Mr. Fowler himself, kicked right out the door and dragged off by

15. 15.

pate is

needs for

her gase Her eile Inded as she

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

Hamiliars gentility was just

epitome of courtesy and grace. But those who knew him

nineteen be anything but truly kind? Natalia’s mind suddenly wandered to Hamilton as a child. Back then, he was

have hardened such a sweet boy into the man

a sigh, she pulled herself from these thoughts, choosing not to dwell on them. After all, that man no longer belonged

the reports from her desk

Harnilton, “Mr. Fowler, I need

name. Instead of handing them back to Natalia, he looked up and

detached

health?” he

paused for a moment and

it. Delegate what you can.”

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

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

got work to attend to.”

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

surprised

after a moment, she added, “If

come.”

Chapter 82

the reunion, she had felt a flicker of anticipation.

away. What was the point of bringing him as her boyfriend? After

said, “Since

meet someone at the reunion?

eyes tightened, “Do I really need a solid reason to go? Or do you have something to hide, something you fear that I might

a touch of exasperated feeling.

convince me otherwise. It’s perfectly normal to bring a

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

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

on time.”