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?”

door and dragged off by security.” Tess shuddered at the thought. “They

15. 15.

humed pate is

be a rubines when he needs for teen

gase Her eile Inded as she contemplated

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

course, the alen know that Hamiliars gentility was

of courtesy and grace. But those who knew him

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

could have hardened such a sweet boy into the man he was now? It was a puzzle

dwell on them. After all, that man no longer belonged to her.

her desk and headed

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

name. Instead of handing them back

detached smile, “Much better.”

he probed further.

and continued,

overdo it. Delegate what you can.”

asking, “Anything else, Mr.

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

“I’ve got work to attend

asked,

surprised

“If you’re busy, Mr. Fowler, you don’t

come.”

Chapter 82

to the reunion,

was the point of bringing him as her boyfriend? After all, that was

finally said, “Since I promised you, I intend to keep my word.”

at Hamilton, “Are you worried I’ll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t worry.

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

with a touch of

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

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 symbolized sweetness now tasted

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

on time.”