He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 16

And then came Eleanor's sharp reprimand, "Nelson Saint! Talk to her like that again, and I'll wash out your mouth!"

Nelson would instantly shut up, resting his chin on his hand as he tilted his head to look at her. "Honestly, studying isn't your strong suit. You should just go to art school. You're pretty enough to pull it off."

Juniper's face would flush bright red. Her worldview was so limited back then; she didn't even know what 'art school' meant.

Her entire life, she had been fed one single narrative: hitting the books was the only way out.

Seeing her get flustered, Nelson would burst out laughing. "It is so fun watching you get all riled up! Hahaha!"

But after he stopped laughing, he would always go back to patiently explaining the material.

Juniper had been incredibly jealous of Nelson. He didn't even have to go to school, yet he knew absolutely everything.

Only later did she realize he was taking advanced online courses. He was so intellectually gifted that even when his grandfather banished him to the countryside, everyone knew it wouldn't hinder his education in the slightest.

Some people were just born to rule the world.

The boy from back then felt like a completely different person from the cold, intimidating man he was now.

Things were so different now.

"My sweet girl, why are you crying?"

The gentle voice snapped Juniper back to reality. Looking up at Eleanor, she realized her cheeks were completely wet.

Not knowing what she had said to cause the tears, Eleanor frowned thoughtfully. "Have you run into Nelson recently? Is he still picking on you?"

Warmth spread through Juniper's chest, washing away the lingering resentment. Eleanor really was the most wonderful person.

"I'm not in any trouble. Capital City is just highly competitive. I started school late, and I wasn't exactly a standout in college. Making it this far is already an accomplishment."

Eleanor's face lit up with a smile as she placed a choice cut of meat in Juniper's bowl. "You need to smile more. I still remember when your grades improved, you promised that once you made it big, you'd buy me the biggest birthday cake in the world."

It was true. In her youthful innocence, she had sworn she would succeed, completely unaware of how brutal the path to success truly was.

Her cheeks warmed. She couldn't believe Eleanor had remembered.

Before she could say another word, the private room door was pushed open. Even before Nelson stepped inside, his mocking drawl filled the space.

"You have everything in the world, and you need her cake? She hasn't cared about you all these years. You're the only one still hung up on it."