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?”

Fowler 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

15. 15.

humed pate is ghosts. Boss, how

when he needs

eile Inded as she contemplated the turn of the fast event.

yet she wouldn’t have ques and he’d

alen know that Hamiliars gentility was just a facade.

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

but truly kind? Natalia’s mind suddenly wandered to Hamilton

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

herself from these thoughts, choosing not to dwell on them. After

up the reports from her desk and headed

entering, she placed the documents in front of Harnilton,

them back to Natalia, he looked

polite, detached smile, “Much better.”

he

moment and

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

do.” She hesitated before asking, “Anything else, Mr. Fowler?”

for a moment in silence. “Are you

didn’t deny it, “I’ve got

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

surprised he

said. Then, after a moment, she added, “If

come.”

Chapter 82

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

was the point of bringing him as her boyfriend? After

said, “Since I promised you,

I’ll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t

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

a touch of

normal

one day, these terms of endearment would become the last thing she wanted

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

on time.”