He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 3

Juniper had been terrified and overwhelmed, her face draining of color as she pointed to the marks on her neck to defend herself.

How far into a corner did someone have to be pushed to use something like that to prove they had been with a man?-

Unsurprisingly, the counselor's eyes instantly filled with unvarnished contempt.

*

"Oh? Ms. Lane was looking for me?"

That single sentence snapped her back to reality. With dozens of mocking eyes fixed on her, she met Nelson's gaze.

His eyes were dead calm, so calm that it truly looked as if absolutely nothing had ever happened between them.

A sharp lump formed in her throat, her heart pounding frantically against her ribs.

The woman who wanted to humiliate Juniper pushed further.

"Yeah, Nelson, didn't you know? After you and Lydia went abroad, Juniper went completely unhinged posting all over the campus forums."

Nelson looked like a detached bystander. Not a single ripple of emotion disturbed his eyes as his long fingers slowly turned the wine glass on the table. "Why were you looking for me?"

His two consecutive questions essentially announced to the entire room that he genuinely had no idea who she was.

Scattered laughter echoed through the room, the sarcastic stares practically burning holes through her.

She abruptly stood up, hiding her trembling hand behind her back. "Nelson, happy marriage."

The truth was, she didn't need to obsess over that answer anymore.

She picked up the glass of liquor in front of her and downed it in one gulp. "I sincerely wish you the best."

She didn't dare look into his eyes. Setting the glass down, she quietly lowered her gaze.

When she looked up, she saw Lydia standing right behind her.

Back in college, she hadn't interacted much with Lydia. They were in different majors, but Lydia had always been famous.

Lydia smiled at her and offered her a tissue. "Are you alright?"

Juniper didn't take it. She couldn't read the woman.

Lydia moved unhurriedly to the sink and turned on the faucet, washing her hands slowly. Her tone carried an innate arrogance, the kind of quiet confidence bred into children of elite, old-money families.

"Nelson is a bit of a mess. Because he has an older brother set to inherit the family empire, he's always loved chasing cheap thrills. But he loses interest just as fast. His grandfather was terrified he'd go completely off the rails, so when he saw him getting into reckless stunts like skydiving, he banished him to Oakley in a fit of rage. Nelson's affections are very short-lived. Juniper, he hurt you, and I apologize on his behalf."

Juniper felt as if those words were a brutal slap across the face.

Lydia slowly dried her hands with a linen handkerchief. "I know you two met back in Oakley. He used to mention you to me all the time. He was even the one who suggested my family sponsor your tuition. I was genuinely happy for you when you made it all the way to Capital City. But you two aren't from the same world. Nelson played with your feelings, and he's already faced the family's discipline for it. Juniper, stop trying to see him. Ordinary girls like you can't afford to play these games."