He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 368

For the first time in his life, Nelson didn't want to talk to anyone. He just wanted to sit here and let the time rot away.

He blinked his stinging eyes and forced himself to try and sleep.

But terrified that Juniper might leave at the crack of dawn without him, he gave up entirely by 5 AM, staring obsessively at the apartment building's entrance.

It wasn't until 7 AM that Juniper pushed Brooks out the doors. They had clearly arranged a plot with the cemetery staff and were heading straight there for the burial.

Nelson pulled the car up. Before anyone could object, he grabbed Brooks, hauled him into the backseat, and rapidly collapsed the wheelchair into the trunk.

Brooks felt like he was suffocating on his own rage, but he couldn't even summon the energy to scream.

Nelson's skin was as thick as a brick wall; no amount of cursing phased him in the slightest.

Nelson opened the passenger door, effortlessly scooped Juniper into his arms, and firmly deposited her into the seat.

Juniper remained entirely silent, not even flinching when he asked, "What's the address?"

When she didn't answer, he glared at Brooks in the rearview mirror. "Address."

If no one spoke, they were all going to sit in this car until the end of time, and they had an appointment with the cemetery staff.

Brooks felt physically sick. Just looking at Nelson's face made him want to vomit.

But he had no choice. He pulled out his phone and barked out the address.

Nelson punched it into the GPS and finally hit the gas.

Passing a drive-thru, he hopped out and bought coffee, oatmeal, and boiled eggs for three.

A light drizzle was falling outside. The recent weather had been an endless cycle of torrential downpours and suffocating humidity.

He hadn't grabbed an umbrella. After paying, he sprinted back to the car and handed a steaming bowl of oatmeal to Juniper. "Eat something."

Leaving this early, neither of them had eaten.

Juniper didn't take it. She just sat there with her eyes closed, her face ghostly pale.

Nelson unceremoniously chucked Brooks's portion into the back. "Your hands aren't broken. Feed yourself."

Brooks let out a vicious scoff. "Playing the devoted servant isn't going to make you my brother-in-law. Drop the act."

He had clearly wised up, figuring out exactly which buttons triggered Nelson.

Nelson wanted to bite back, 'Who the hell wants to be related to your pathetic family?'

But sitting right next to Juniper, the vicious insult died in his throat.

He tightened his jaw and completely ignored Brooks. Instead, he grabbed a spoon, scooped up a bite of oatmeal, and held it to Juniper's lips. "Take ten bites, or I'm turning the engine off and no one is leaving."

Juniper opened her eyes and stared at him.

Nelson averted his gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing sharply. "If you would just eat on your own, I wouldn't have to threaten you."

He pulled a tissue and wiped her mouth. From the backseat, Brooks sneered, "Do you get off on playing the tragic lover?"

From the moment he forced his way into the car and bought breakfast, Nelson had been putting on a sickening display of devotion.

If he actually cared about Juniper, why did he dump her so brutally and let her be dragged through the mud?

If he cared, why did he order his men to shatter her brother's legs?

If he cared, why did he constantly force himself on her?

Brooks was thoroughly nauseated. Just watching Nelson's hand touch Juniper's face made him want to gauge his own eyes out.

Nelson ignored the mockery. They had both just lost their parents; he was going to let it slide.

Juniper had finished eating. He took her trash, stepped out into the rain again to toss it into a bin, and wiped the water off his jacket when he got back in.

He asked her gently, "Are you full?"

Juniper didn't respond.

He leaned in and suddenly pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

Juniper stared at him. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'm driving."

No one said a word. Nelson possessed a terrifying superpower—no matter how entirely unwelcome he was, he would bulldoze his way in and stay.