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?”

instantly. “True. And I heard Orpheus Fowler got the boot from Mr. Fowler himself, kicked right out the door and dragged off by security.” Tess shuddered at the thought. “They say Orpheus was

15. 15.

they humed pate is ghosts. Boss,

be a rubines when he needs for teen couldn’t help but shaver nasin

towered her gase Her eile Inded as she contemplated the

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

the alen know that Hamiliars gentility was just a facade.

of courtesy and grace. But those who knew him

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

into the man he was now? It was a puzzle beyond her solving

not to dwell on them. After all, that man no longer belonged to her.

from her desk and

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

and signed his name. Instead of handing them back to Natalia, he

polite, detached smile,

he probed

for a moment and

“Don’t overdo it. Delegate what you

She hesitated before asking, “Anything

“Are you in such

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

slightly before he finally asked, “The class reunion is

surprised

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

come.”

Chapter 82

he first offered to accompany her to the reunion, she had felt a flicker of anticipation.

excitement had drained away. What was the point

he finally said, “Since I promised

worried I’ll meet someone at the

go? Or do you have something to hide,

with a touch of

otherwise. It’s perfectly normal to bring

gripped her heart. She had never imagined that one day, these terms of

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

on time.”