He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 220

A rare clarity settled over Juniper's mind. She remained frozen until Alistair and Eleanor finally emerged from the study. Eleanor descended the stairs with a radiant smile, only to realize Nelson was already gone.

She tapped her temple. "Oh, how could I forget? No wonder that boy was dragging his feet this morning. It's his birthday today! My memory is practically nonexistent these days." She turned to the estate manager. "Reggie, please send a gift over to his place later."

Reggie nodded respectfully.

Eleanor grasped Alistair's hand, her face glowing with absolute approval. "I'm so glad we had our little talk. Knowing Juniper has you to look after her truly sets my mind at ease."

Alistair offered a warm, reassuring smile. "I promise to treat her well, Eleanor."

Eleanor waved them off fondly. Her stamina was fading, and simply holding a conversation was beginning to drain her. "Go on, you two. Go out and have some fun. You need to spend time together and build your connection."

Juniper stood up and nodded. "Get some rest, Eleanor."

She rode in the passenger seat of Alistair's car.

Alistair kept his hands lightly on the steering wheel, his gaze flicking toward the towering city skyline.

"Would you like to go shopping?"

She froze. Shopping inevitably meant buying things, and Alistair would undoubtedly insist on paying.

She hated owing people, especially since they weren't even officially a couple.

Instantly, Nelson's vicious words echoed in her mind: Never date poor girls. It's exhausting.

All color drained from her face as the delayed humiliation crashed over her in suffocating waves.

She was so accustomed to obsessing over every financial imbalance; she simply couldn't turn it off.

Catching her pale reflection in his peripheral vision, Alistair smoothly changed course. "A friend of mine just opened a highly-rated dessert lounge. I'd love to take you there to try it."

She lowered her gaze, her voice barely a whisper. "Okay."

Alistair pulled up to a beautifully designed, highly exclusive dessert lounge. The ambiance was intimate and distinctly high-end. This was no ordinary bakery.

"Juniper. What a surprise."

Julian's attitude was surprisingly polite. His gaze drifted to Alistair, his smirk widening slightly. "Dr. Vaughn. We meet again."

The last time Julian had seen him, Alistair had been waiting outside the restroom while Nelson carried Juniper out.

Juniper and Nelson clearly had a tangled, illicit history. Did Nelson know she was out on a date with another man?

Furthermore, Nelson had been heavily drugged the night of the wedding banquet—there was no way nothing had happened between him and Juniper.

Lowering his gaze, Julian gestured to a nearby table with the effortless arrogance of old money. "Order whatever you like. It's on me. After all, Juniper and I are practically friends."

As he spoke, he casually pulled out his phone and tapped out a quick message to Nelson.

[Just ran into Juniper. She's out on a date with Alistair. So sweet.]