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. Alaugh 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, | 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?”

Tess’s face fell instantly. “True. And | heard Orpheus 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 office, coughing up blood on the spot.

15. 15. The smooctanes were as shocked, they humed pate is ghosts. Boss, how can Mr. Fowler took posted yet be a rubines when he needs for teen couldn’t help but shaver nasin batata towered her gase Her eile Inded as she contemplated the turn of the fast event. Handion always maintained a gentlemanly demeanor at work, yet she wouldn’t have ques and he'd physically confront Orpheus. Of course, the alen know that Hamiliars gentility was just a facade. To an outsider, he was the epitome of courtesy and grace. But those who knew him understood his ruthlessness.

How could someone who took over the Fowler empire at nineteen be anything but truly kind? Natalia’s mind suddenly wandered to Hamilton as a child. Back then, he was a tearful yet untainted soul.

What could have hardened such a sweet boy into the man he was now? It was a puzzle beyond her solving With a sigh, she pulled herself from these thoughts, choosing not to dwell on them. After all, that man no longer belonged to her. She picked up the reports from her desk and headed to the CEO’s office.

After knocking and entering, she placed the documents in front of Harnilton, “Mr. Fowler, | need your signature on these two reports.”

Hamilton scanned them casually and signed his name. Instead of handing them back to Natalia, he looked up and asked, “How’s your arm feeling?”

Natalia offered a polite, detached smile, “Much better.”

“And your health?” he probed further.

She paused for a moment and continued, “Fine as well.”

Hamilton nodded absentmindedly, “Don’t overdo it. Delegate what you can.”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

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

He watched her for a moment in silence. “Are you in such a hurry?” he asked.

She didn’t deny it, “I’ve got work to attend to.”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed slightly before he finally asked, “The class reunion is this weekend, right?” She was surprised he remembered.

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

When he first offered to accompany her to the reunion, she had felt a flicker of anticipation.

But after what happened that night, all excitement had drained away. What was the point of bringing him as her boyfriend? After all, that was all just a facade.

Hamilton’s gaze lingered on her, which was inscrutable. And he finally said, “Since | promised you, | intend to keep my word.”

Natalia laughed softly and looked at Hamilton, “Are you worried I'll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t worry. He won't be there.”

Hamilton's eyes tightened, “Do | really need a solid reason to go? Or do you have something to hide, something you fear that | might see?”

“No!” Natalia replied with a touch of exasperated feeling.

Hamilton snorted, “Then stop trying to convince me otherwise. It’s perfectly normal to bring a boyfriend to a class reunion, right, my girlfriend?”

Natalia’s smile strained at the corners as a pang of sadness gripped her heart. She had never imagined that one day, these terms of endearment would become the last thing she wanted to hear. Words that once symbolized sweetness now tasted bitter.

Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile, “Alright. Then, Mr. Fowler, please be sure to come

on time.”

Hamilton nodded, “I'll have my secretary prepare an outfit for you. You may go now.” Natalia picked up the documents and left the office.

In the following days, Natalia saw neither hide nor hair of Hamilton.

Linda mentioned he was away on a business trip, and Natalia didn’t pry.

It wasn’t until the eve of the reunion that she got a call from Scarlett, “Natalie, Hamilton’s definitely your plus—one for the event, right?”

By now, Natalia was starting to doubt whether Hamilton would show up at all. After all, he had been incommunicado since he left on his trip.

Still, she managed a tentative, “I guess so. Why?”

Scarlett was practically buzzing with glee, “No biggie. | just thought, you know, that douchbag Hamilton might have his uses. | heard Eveleen’s cousin Giselle will be there too. She used to give you a hard time, remember?”

Natalia’s forehead creased with a frown, “Why the heck would Giselle be coming?” Giselle, although an alumna of their school, was a year junior and had no business attending their class reunion.

Scarlett felt helpless, “Word is she’s dating our class monitor. Can you believe it? Such a stand-up guy is fallen for someone like Giselle.”

15:45

Natalia’s lips tightened into a thin line. Still, she said nothing more. The class monitor’s girlfriend or not she had no say in whether Giselle attended.

But it did put a damper on her mood. It wasn’t that she was afraid of Giselle; she just had zero desire to mingle with her at such an event

“With Hamilton at your side, who cares about Giselle or Eveleen? We'll show them up, one by one.” Scarlett was still chattering away.

Natalia, however, was far from optimistic. Whether Hamilton could make it back in time was one thing. Even if he did, there was no guarantee he’d have her back against Giselle.

Nonetheless, Natalia dialed his number. Hamilton picked up quickly, “Ms. Jenkins, what can | do for you?” Natalia bit her lip, “Mr. Fowler, when will you be back?”

Hamilton’s voice warmed with amusement, “Why, Ms. Jenkins, are you missing me?”