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?”

face fell 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

15. 15.

they humed pate is ghosts. Boss, how

needs for teen couldn’t

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

always maintained a gentlemanly demeanor at work, yet she wouldn’t

that Hamiliars gentility was

the epitome of courtesy and grace. But those

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

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

these thoughts, choosing not to dwell on them. After all, that

reports from her desk and headed to the

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

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

polite, detached

he

for a moment and continued,

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

before asking, “Anything else, Mr.

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

didn’t deny it, “I’ve got work to

eyes narrowed slightly before he finally asked, “The class reunion is this

was surprised

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

come.”

Chapter 82

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

all excitement had drained away. What was the point of bringing him as her

finally said, “Since I promised you, I intend to keep

you worried I’ll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t worry. He

do

a

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

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 now tasted bitter.

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

on time.”