He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 164

Nelson seemed to reign in his temper, slowly sitting back on the edge of the bed and pulling her into a loose embrace. "Baby, don't say things like that when I'm actually in a good mood, alright?"

His lips grazed her cheek, trailing down to her ear. "Want me to let you go? How about you just stay with me?"

She let out a weak, breathless laugh. "You mean as your secret mistress?"

"Obviously. Given the stunt your family pulled at the banquet tonight, do you honestly think I can parade you around in public?"

He would become the laughingstock of their entire social circle.

Juniper raised her hand and slapped him.

But her body was completely drained; the strike landed with the force of a gentle breeze.

"Then why do you keep coming back to me, Nelson? Are you just a pathetic glutton for punishment?!"

The slap didn't hurt. He stared into her broken eyes and chose not to respond.

Juniper despised this unstable, volatile version of herself. Whenever she was around Nelson, she spiraled out of control, turning into a lunatic.

She grabbed fistfuls of her own hair, feeling as though her chest had been stuffed with cotton, suffocating her from the inside out.

A heavy silence swallowed the room, broken only by her ragged breathing.

It felt like being dragged back to shore after nearly drowning.

After a long time, Nelson pulled her firmly against his chest, nuzzling her hair. "Fine, I'm a pathetic glutton for punishment. Let me take you home."

Too exhausted to argue, she closed her eyes and let him hold her.

Nelson noticed she felt significantly lighter. It seemed like every time he saw her, she had lost another pound.

He carried her out through a discreet, private corridor.

Standing far down the hallway, Lydia watched them leave, her nails biting into her palms.

Her breathing was erratic, shaking with rage. The man beside her sighed. "Look at him. He’d rather take damaged goods than lay a finger on you. Maybe it’s time to find a new target?"

Pure hatred burned in Lydia’s eyes, but it wasn't directed at Nelson. It was entirely reserved for Juniper.

"Mrs. Lucille?"

"June! Your dad is in the hospital! He was hit by a car tonight. The accident wasn't severe, but the scans showed a tumor. He needs targeted chemotherapy immediately, but there are no specialists or drugs available domestically. June..."

Juniper went completely silent, her grip tightening on the phone.

Beatrice’s sobs grew hysterical. "I know you resent him! June, when you got horribly sick while we were working out of town, everyone told us to give up and just have a healthy baby. But your dad couldn't bear the shame. He thought people would spit on him if he abandoned his kid, so he blew every dime we had saved for years to treat you! I know you hate us, but we're still family! Please, come see him."

Juniper swallowed the hard lump in her throat. She knew the story all too well.

It was the paradox that constantly haunted her: did her parents actually love her?

They loved her, yet neglected and tortured her.

The chaotic blend of love and hate was the most agonizing torment of all.

She buried her face in her hands, her voice a hollow rasp. "I know."