He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 263

No one spoke for the rest of the ride. Sitting beside her mother, Josie felt a creeping sense of dread. She felt like something terrible was about to happen—something far beyond her understanding. She was terrified of losing her mom, and equally terrified of losing her dad.

Nelson no longer lived at the Saint family estate; he had his own place. After dropping Lydia and Josie off, he drove away without coming inside.

The second his car disappeared, Lydia's expression twisted into something monstrous.

Kieran was waking up. Sweat beaded on her nose as panic consumed her.

If Kieran woke up, the truth from all those years ago would come out. Nelson would realize his hatred had been entirely misplaced. He already couldn't fully let go of Juniper; if he learned the truth, he would pursue her relentlessly.

Lydia absolutely could not let that happen!

Her throat felt as dry as sandpaper. This revelation had completely upended her reality. She crouched down, her eyes frantic as she stared at Josie.

Josie was terrified by the look on her mother's face. She was still holding the kitten in her arms.

Animals are acutely sensitive to human emotions. Sensing Lydia's dark energy, the kitten panicked and struggled, accidentally scratching a red line down Josie's arm.

Irritated, Lydia snatched the kitten by the scruff and violently hurled it across the room.

Cats have excellent balance; Leo twisted in the air and landed safely on his paws a few feet away.

Josie's heart dropped back into her chest. "Mom..."

Before she could finish, Lydia gripped her shoulders with terrifying strength. "Josie, promise Mom. For the rest of your life, Nelson is your only father. If anyone ever tries to make someone else your dad, you have to refuse! Do you understand? You have to go on a hunger strike. If Nelson doesn't come to see you, you refuse to eat. You have to make his heart break for you."

Josie was so scared her lips turned pale, but she always listened to her mother. With red eyes, she nodded. "Okay."

Lydia suddenly pulled her into a bone-crushing hug, gripping her so tightly Josie felt her ribs ache.

"That's my good girl. As long as you do exactly what Mom says, we can keep your dad. If your dad ever leaves you, Mom will leave you too. You don't want to be an orphan with no parents to love you, right?"

Josie immediately started crying, panic setting in. "No! I don't want that!"

Lydia exhaled a breath of relief, her lips curving into a cold smile. "Then remember to listen to Mom. Whatever Mom tells you to do, you do it."

"I will."

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