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 out of

15. 15.

humed pate is

he needs for teen couldn’t help but shaver nasin

towered her gase Her eile Inded as she contemplated the turn of the

at work, yet she wouldn’t have ques and

course, the alen know that Hamiliars

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

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

man he was now? It was a puzzle beyond her

not to dwell on them. After all, that man

desk and headed

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

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

offered a polite, detached

your health?” he

for a moment and continued, “Fine as well.”

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

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

“Are

got work

before he finally asked, “The class reunion is

was surprised he remembered.

a moment, she added, “If you’re busy, Mr. Fowler,

come.”

Chapter 82

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

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

was inscrutable. And he finally said,

I’ll meet someone

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

replied with a

perfectly normal to bring a

strained at the corners as a pang of 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 once

breath, she forced a smile, “Alright. Then, Mr. Fowler,

on time.”