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

15. 15.

as shocked, they humed pate is ghosts. Boss,

yet be a rubines when he needs for teen couldn’t help but

Inded as she contemplated the turn of

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

alen know that Hamiliars gentility was

courtesy and grace. But

truly kind? Natalia’s mind

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

thoughts, choosing not to dwell on them. After all, that man no longer belonged to her.

her desk and headed to the CEO’s office.

front of Harnilton,

back to Natalia, he looked up and asked, “How’s

a polite, detached smile, “Much

health?” he probed

moment and continued,

absentmindedly, “Don’t overdo it. Delegate

asking, “Anything

for a moment in silence. “Are you in such

it, “I’ve got work

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

surprised he

Then, after a moment, she added, “If you’re busy, Mr. Fowler, you don’t have to

come.”

Chapter 82

offered to accompany her to the reunion, she had

excitement had drained away. What was the point of bringing him as her boyfriend? After all, that

gaze lingered on her, which was inscrutable. And he finally said,

at Hamilton, “Are you worried I’ll meet someone

do you have something to hide, something you fear that I might

a touch

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

that one day, these terms of endearment would

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

on time.”