He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 216

Yara had to admit that those words truly stung.

She wasn't made of stone; of course, she knew how to hurt.

Scoring so high only to end up studying nursing—it was a bitter pill she could never swallow.

That was why, even after starting at the hospital, she worked relentlessly, feeling a desperate need to compensate for everything she had missed out on.

She had no social life. Her days off were spent watching open-course lectures and listening to foreign language tapes. She wanted to seize every opportunity to climb the ladder. She refused to settle for a life of mediocrity.

This lingering resentment fueled her every waking moment.

When they were kids, she and Juniper used to go to the local market in Oakley. They would find those little prize wheels where a spin cost a quarter.

Naive little Juniper had clutched her single dollar bill, eager to try her luck, but Yara had grabbed her arm. "Don't be stupid. Those games are rigged. You finally saved up a dollar—you'd be better off buying a bag of chips."

Juniper had looked at her, eyes full of innocent confusion. "How do you know that, Yara?"

Yara had dragged her away by the wrist, the stall owner's angry curses fading behind them.

"I don't know for sure, but he's a businessman. He's here to make money off people like you."

Juniper had clung to her arm. "What does that mean?"

"It means you're too gullible, Juniper. Never give your money away so easily."

Juniper had nodded solemnly, only to say a second later, "Let's go buy two bags of chips then. One for you, and one for me."

Juniper had a dollar, and she was perfectly willing to spend half of it on Yara.

But Yara's household was strict, and she rarely got to go out.

From a young age, she knew her only way out was to claw her way to the top and score the highest grades.

She knew all too well that outside of studying, she had nothing else.

That girl's harsh words had pierced Yara's pride, leaving her head spinning.

Yet, apart from ignoring the insult, there was nothing she could do. They had told the absolute truth.

Yara only befriended Juniper because she knew Juniper was genuinely kind and pure-hearted at her core.

Aside from Eleanor, everyone in the Saint family despised her.

She had absolutely no reason to try and appease them.

Cecilia hadn't expected to be dismissed so blatantly. Her expression darkened. "I am Nelson's aunt."

Juniper didn't even pause her stride, walking straight through the gates of the complex.

Cecilia trembled with sheer rage. She couldn't believe Juniper had the audacity to disrespect her like that!

As she pressed her lips into a tight line, her phone rang. It was her daughter, Felicity.

"Mom, did you see her? Did you teach her a lesson for me?"

Cecilia rubbed her temples. Balancing her demanding career and personal life left her exhausted, and making the trip out here tonight had been a rare inconvenience.

"I saw her. She completely ignored me."

"That bitch! I don't know what gives her the right to act so arrogant! Mom, why don't we just hire someone to get rid of her? I get sick just looking at her face. Plus, she's always bullying Lydia and our sweet Josie!"