Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 84

Natalia couldn’t quite pin down the feeling that was suffocating her at that moment. It was as if in a split second she had been drenched in a piercing cold from head to toe. She felt herself drowning in bitterness.

Was it the chill in the air, or had she dressed too scantily? Even her hand with her phone was trembling slightly.

She wanted to ask Hamilton what the matter was. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to type out a single word. Before she knew it, her vision began to blur.

Natalia fought back the tears, refusing to let them fall. In a self–torturous move, she pulled up Eveleen’s Twitter feed.

Sure enough, Eveleen had posted a photo just three minutes prior. It was a snapshot from a movie premiere she was attending.

But in that picture, Natalia spotted the back of a man. Just a half glimpse of his back, but she recognized him instantly–it was Hamilton. Even more, he was wearing the suit she had bought for him.

Her fingers quivered as she fumbled to close the app. It took her several tries to hit the right

spot.

Once she managed to exit and swallow the lump in her throat, she dialed Scarlett.

Scarlett picked up and immediately sensed something was off, “What’s up, Natalia?”

“I’m feeling a bit under the weather. Think I’ll head back,” Natalia said, striving to keep her voice steady. She had no desire to confront Giselle alone. Some stains came without effort, but cleaning them off was a Herculean task.

Natalia was tired of being humiliated and being a spectacle. This time, she wanted to flee.

Scarlett paused, but quickly responded, “Alright, wait for me. I’ll take you home.”

Natalia took a deep breath, “No need, I’ll grab a cab. You have fun with them.”

After hanging up, she stood alone in the dark night, feeling utterly hollow. Her sourness seeped into her bones bit by bit.

With heavy steps, Natalia turned to leave. She actually had a hunch. She had suspected that he wouldn’t be there for her when Hamilton hadn’t messaged her all day.

But the harsh reality, now before her, was suffocating.

“Natalia.” A voice called out.

Startled, she turned to see the monitor of their class with a few classmates standing nearby.

was grateful that she hadn’t cried earlier. It would

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aren’t you

great,” she managed a smile, “just called Scarlett, I’m about

monitor looked concerned, “Are you okay? Do you need a ride to the hospital?

but before she could speak, Giselle’s voice rang out. “Well, well, if it isn’t our prom

and smiled, “I thought it was someone else. Turns out it’s Giselle, who just got kicked

was soft, yet the words were cutting.

her expulsion was bad enough,

to bring your boyfriend? Why are you alone? Or let me guess, he had to be with

expression stiffened, but she kept up her smile, “Giselle, I’ve warned you before to watch your mouth. Say one more word, and I’ll have evidence for the

activated the voice recorder on

“Prove it then! Let him show up, and I’ll

face grew taut, “Whether he comes or not,

monitor and a few others quickly intervened.

you should go,” the monitor

Giselle was having

apologetically at Natalia, “Natalia, I’m really sorry, if you want

because you can’t face us after

Deep down, you’re just a tramp that’s been played!”

clear she was enraged about her expulsion, which Natalia had a hand in.

losing all sense of decorum in

enough, Giselle!” the monitor finally shouted.

want a piece of her too? If I’m not mistaken, weren’t you about to take her to the

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15-16

Chapter 84

falling over yourself to play the

recalling the vile

fully believed the rumors, but they couldn’t dismiss them entirely

more ciusive the gossip, the more irresistible it was

idea of her as someone’s mistress wasn’t

school, many of the boys had harbored crushes on her. Yet, Natalia had never accepted any of them.

be a mistress, it stirred a complex