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?”

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 sent flying out of the office, coughing up

15. 15.

shocked, they humed pate is

he needs for teen couldn’t help

she contemplated the turn of

gentlemanly demeanor at work, yet she wouldn’t have ques

Hamiliars gentility was just a facade.

outsider, he was the epitome of courtesy and

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

into the man he was now? It was

a sigh, she pulled herself from these thoughts, choosing not to dwell on them. After all, that

reports from her desk and headed to the

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

name. Instead of handing them back

detached smile, “Much better.”

health?” he

and

it. Delegate what you

do.” She hesitated before asking, “Anything

in silence. “Are

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

eyes narrowed slightly before he finally asked, “The

surprised

after a moment, she added, “If

come.”

Chapter 82

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

drained away. What was the point of

finally said, “Since I promised you,

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

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

Natalia replied with a touch of exasperated feeling.

convince me otherwise. It’s perfectly normal to bring a boyfriend to a class reunion, right,

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 symbolized sweetness

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

on time.”