He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 10

Yvonne maintained her furious scowl and spun around to leave. "The only reason I haven't ruined you yet is out of respect for someone else. Nelson doesn't love you, so don't even think about trying anything stupid. Because if you do, I promise I will not let you walk away."

Juniper remained perfectly silent.

Yvonne took a deep breath and took a step forward, but paused, throwing a vicious glance over her shoulder. "If you don't want the people you care about to end up in terrible accidents, I suggest you carve my words into your brain. I believe Mrs. Lucille has a daughter, doesn't she?"

Juniper's head snapped up, confronting the blatant, unapologetic threat in the older woman's eyes.

She found it almost laughably absurd. These people looked at her like she was a rabid beast waiting to strike, but what had she ever actually done to earn this level of venomous hatred?

"Don't worry, Mrs. Saint. I will make sure to stay far out of your way."

Yvonne finally looked satisfied, though her retreating figure still radiated dark hostility.

Juniper stood in the hallway for a moment before pushing the door open and stepping back into the room.

Mrs. Lucille looked worried. "What did you two talk about? Honestly, I feel like I recognize her from somewhere. Have I seen her before?"

Suddenly, a look of realization dawned on her face. "Wait, was she the one who partnered with your mom back when..."

Juniper quickly grabbed her hand, abruptly changing the subject. "Mrs. Lucille, your health is already fragile. You need to be extra careful from now on."

"Oh, my health is perfectly fine. I've been doing so much better these past couple of years. You, on the other hand, need to stop running over here every five seconds. If your mother finds out, she'll march right over to my house and start screaming again."

Juniper's mother had recently fallen ill and had actually called her, but Juniper had refused to go home.

Naturally, her mother had resented her for it, and had taken every opportunity she could to spit venom at Mrs. Lucille in retaliation.

Thankfully, Mrs. Lucille hadn't been back to Oakley in quite a while either.

"You and your mom..."

Everyone in their hometown knew about the massive fallout with the Lane family. Juniper's parents were deeply obsessed with their reputation, and having the entire neighborhood whispering behind their backs was a daily torture.

Growing up, Juniper had always been the quintessential good girl. She studied relentlessly and, as a child left behind while her parents worked, constantly helped the elders with their chores. Everyone in town had adored her.

When she was accepted into Capital University, the family was showered with cash rewards and endless praise.

No one could have predicted the catastrophic scandal she would eventually bring down upon them. Now, all those neighbors who had once congratulated them made a point to smugly ask if Juniper had visited home lately.

Everyone knew perfectly well she hadn't. They were just sadistically twisting the knife.

"Your mom is genuinely worried about you. You should really go back and see her when you have the time. And about your dad slapping you so hard it damaged your hearing... I know he feels terrible about it. You know how explosive his temper gets. He never meant to hurt you like that."

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