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.

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

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you going

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

Do you

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

meet hers and smiled, “I thought it was someone else. Turns out it’s

yet the words

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 had to be

up her smile, “Giselle, I’ve warned you before to watch your mouth. Say one more word, and

voice recorder on her

it then! Let him show up,

he comes or not, it’s none

escalated, the class monitor and a few others quickly

you should go,”

having none

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

us after being a homewrecker?” Giselle

Deep down, you’re just a tramp that’s been played!” Giselle’s insults kept coming, and the president couldn’t hold her back.

was clear she was enraged about her expulsion, which

of decorum in her anger.

the monitor finally

too? If I’m not mistaken, weren’t you about to take her to the hospital? Her

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15-16

Chapter 84

to play the knight in shining armor!”

nastier. The surrounding men had mixed expressions, recalling the vile messages they

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

gossip, the more irresistible it was to probe, especially

poor background. The idea of her as someone’s

high school, many of the boys had harbored crushes on her. Yet, Natalia had

that she might be a mistress,