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?”

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

15. 15.

were as shocked, they humed pate is ghosts. Boss, how can Mr.

rubines when he needs for

Her eile Inded as she contemplated the

at work, yet she

course, the alen know that Hamiliars gentility was just

he was the epitome of courtesy and grace. But those who knew him understood

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

the man

dwell on them. After all, that

from her desk and headed to

Harnilton, “Mr. Fowler, I need your signature on

them back to Natalia, he looked up and asked,

detached

he probed

paused for a moment and continued, “Fine as

absentmindedly, “Don’t overdo it.

asking, “Anything

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

“I’ve got work

before he finally asked, “The class reunion is this

was surprised he remembered.

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

come.”

Chapter 82

to accompany her to the reunion, she

drained away. What was the point of bringing him as her boyfriend? After all, that was all just a facade.

finally said,

worried I’ll meet

to go? Or do you have something

replied with a touch of

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

as a pang of sadness gripped her heart. She had never imagined that one day, these terms of endearment would

smile, “Alright. Then, Mr. Fowler, please be sure to come

on time.”