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?”

and dragged off by security.” Tess shuddered at the thought. “They say Orpheus was

15. 15.

pate is ghosts. Boss, how can Mr. Fowler

when he needs for teen couldn’t help but shaver

she contemplated the turn of

work, yet she wouldn’t have ques and he’d physically confront

Hamiliars

of courtesy and grace. But those who knew

at nineteen be anything but truly kind? Natalia’s mind suddenly wandered to Hamilton as

man he was now? It

these thoughts, choosing not to dwell

from her desk and headed

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

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

offered a polite, detached smile, “Much

he probed

and

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

do.” She hesitated before asking, “Anything else,

for a moment in silence. “Are you in such a

deny it, “I’ve got

eyes narrowed slightly before he finally asked,

was surprised he

added, “If you’re busy, Mr. Fowler,

come.”

Chapter 82

accompany her to the reunion, she had felt a

all excitement had drained away. What was the point of

he finally said, “Since I promised you,

and looked at Hamilton, “Are you worried I’ll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t worry. He won’t be there.”

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

replied with a touch of

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

never imagined that one day, these terms of endearment would become the last thing she wanted to hear. Words that once symbolized sweetness now tasted bitter.

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

on time.”