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.

herself and managed a smile. She was grateful that she hadn’t cried earlier. It would have only

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aren’t you

smile, “just called Scarlett, I’m

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

could speak, Giselle’s voice rang out. “Well, well, if it isn’t our prom queen, Natalia?”

lifted her gaze to meet hers and smiled, “I thought it was someone

soft, yet

face twisted with rage. The humiliation of her expulsion was bad enough, but

you supposed to bring your boyfriend? Why are you alone? Or let me guess, he

expression stiffened, but she kept up her smile, “Giselle, I’ve warned you before to watch your mouth. Say one more

voice recorder on her phone..

“Prove it then! Let him

he comes or not, it’s none of your business.”

tension escalated, the class monitor and a few others quickly intervened.

should go,”

was having none

glanced apologetically at Natalia, “Natalia, I’m really sorry, if you want to leave-

us after being a homewrecker?”

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

was enraged about her expulsion, which

sense of decorum in her anger.

the monitor

not mistaken, weren’t you about to take her to the hospital? Her ‘boyfriend‘ doesn’t care

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15-16

Chapter 84

falling over yourself to play the knight in

men had mixed expressions, recalling the vile messages they had seen in the group chat.

the rumors, but they couldn’t dismiss them entirely

more irresistible it was to probe, especially when it concerned

yet from a poor background. The idea of her as someone’s mistress wasn’t entirely unbelievable.

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

that she might be a mistress, it