He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 19

Refusing to engage with him, Juniper stepped past him to head back inside.

Nelson locked his fingers around her wrist and forcefully slammed the door shut.

Further down the corridor, Eleanor's bodyguards witnessed the exchange and unanimously turned their heads the other way.

His grip bruised her skin. Lydia's chilling words suddenly echoed in her mind.

'...He's always like this. Who knows when he'll find you amusing again? I'm just afraid he's going to hurt you one more time.'

Was that it? Was Nelson finally finding it entertaining to mess with her again?

A cynical, fractured smile touched her lips.

Nelson towered over her, his imposing presence boxing her in. "You never answered my question the other day. Why were you looking for me back then?"

He seemed obsessed with the answer.

It made Juniper feel sick to her stomach. Why was she looking for him? Her boyfriend had vanished without a trace; wasn't it entirely normal for her to search for him?

Why was he acting so surprised?

Or did he truly believe she was never serious about them?

The realization felt like a slap in the face.

"To break up with you."

She met his gaze head-on, her voice unwavering.

Nelson slowly loosened his grip on her wrist. "Oh. Then don't worry about it. I never really cared for you anyway."

When two people were in love, words were sweet as honey.

When the love died, they became daggers straight to the heart.

No one knew how to cut deeper than Nelson.

Juniper spun around immediately, terrified her composure would shatter. She didn't have the strength to walk back into that room and risk crying in front of Eleanor.

Juniper desperately wanted to decline, but Caleb's warning echoed in her head. She couldn't actually flee Capital City in three days.

Where would she even go?

"Okay. Thank you, ma'am."

Seeing that she still refused to call her 'Grandma,' Eleanor felt a twinge of sadness but handed over her contact information anyway.

After saving the number, Juniper spoke softly. "It's quite urgent. I really can't stay for lunch."

Before Eleanor could suggest meeting up another time, Nelson sneered, "You never do anything without an angle. You only came today to secure her phone number, didn't you?"

Eleanor pinched his arm hard and shot him a lethal glare.

Juniper was already numb to his relentless mockery. She offered Eleanor a faint smile, said goodbye, and walked away.

The moment she was out of sight, Eleanor leaned heavily on her cane, then lifted it menacingly into the air. "Nelson!"