He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 280

Nelson's face instantly drained of color. He lowered his eyelashes, unable to argue.

Lydia swallowed hard. She desperately wanted to throw her arms around him from behind, wanting him to just turn around and look at her. Why did he always look right past her?

"Nelson, back when you were lying in that hospital bed, you swore you'd never forgive her. Have you forgotten? You swore on Josie's life! Aren't you terrified something might happen to her?"

The color drained entirely from his face, and his expression turned severe. "What could possibly happen to Josie?"

Lydia let out a bitter smile. "Don't forget the exact words of your vow. If you ever tangle yourself with Juniper again, Josie won't live to grow up. A man has to take responsibility for the curses he speaks into the universe. If something actually happens to her, could you ever live with yourself? Sometimes you have to believe in karma, don't you?"

Nelson took a deep, ragged breath and squeezed his eyes shut.

Lydia softened her tone. "I know you're giving me the cold shoulder because of the stunt at the banquet, but I was drugged that night. It was the first time anything like that had happened to me, and I panicked. All I could think about was the scandal—what would happen to the Thorne family and the Saint family if someone saw me? How would the Harringtons react? And worse, everyone would think Josie had a tramp for a mother... I'm sorry, Nelson..."

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she slowly leaned her head against his shoulder. "And when we ran into each other at the vet, she slapped me. I knew I was in the wrong, so I didn't fight back. Isn't that enough? Does she want me to get down on my knees? If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have had to suffer all these years..."

She sobbed into his shoulder, greedily breathing in his unique, intoxicating scent.

Nelson was tall, and leaning against him made her feel entirely safe.

This was the man she had loved for years. To be with him, she was willing to do absolutely anything.

Nelson looked down at her. He didn't push her away, but an intense irritation coiled in his chest. "I get it. Stop crying."

A subtle, triumphant smirk touched the corners of Lydia's lips.

From a distance, Yvonne watched the scene, her brow furrowing deeply. In the end, she said nothing.

The Saint family owed Lydia a monumental debt.

Lydia was a perfect daughter-in-law.

It was the director from Blackwood Institute. He had indeed caught a flight out and was currently abroad.

But as per their agreement, he was owed one last sum.

Confirming he was completely out of the country, Lydia smirked. "What's the rush? Wiring money directly from my account would only draw suspicion. My associate will drop off the cash to you personally."

"Great, great. I knew you were a woman of your word. That Beatrice woman was an absolute idiot. She believed every lie I fed her about curing her daughter. When had her daughter ever been sick? We locked her up in that room, and I even sent a male orderly in to deal with her. Pity he didn't succeed, but it was more than enough to give her some serious psychological trauma."

Thinking about it made Lydia's blood boil. They had locked Juniper in that hellhole for so long, and she still hadn't completely broken down into a severe depression.

That woman was as resilient as a cockroach. It made her sick.

Lydia let out a cold laugh. "My associate should be meeting you soon. Take the money and never come back."

"Understood, Ms. Thorne. You can relax; I'm taking all those secrets to my grave."