Hearing Slave

Chapter 5: Secrets Unraveled

05

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The more Jillian observed Clementine, the more she recognized the cracks in her armor. Each time she called her over to run an errand or fetch something, there were fleeting moments where Clementine seemed human—moments when she was just a girl, battling her own insecurities.

One afternoon, as they sat outside during lunch, Clementine fiddled with her phone, her expression shifting from boredom to frustration. “I can’t believe they want me to perform at the charity concert next month,” she muttered, mostly to herself. “They don’t understand how much pressure that is.”

Jillian glanced at her, intrigued. “You’re a great singer,” she said softly, trying to inject some encouragement into the conversation.

Clementine shot her a surprised look, as if she hadn’t expected anyone to speak up. “Yeah? You really think so?”

“Yeah,” Jillian replied, surprised at her own boldness. “I heard you play the piano the other day. It was beautiful.”

Clementine’s expression softened for a brief moment before returning to its usual guarded demeanor. “It doesn’t matter. People expect me to be perfect, and if I mess up…” Her voice trailed off, and Jillian could see the fear behind her bravado.

“Maybe they just want to see you try your best,” Jillian suggested, hoping to bridge the gap between them. “You don’t have to be perfect all the time.”

Clementine looked at her for a long moment, and for the first time, Jillian felt as if they were on the same wavelength, both of them bearing burdens that the other couldn’t quite see. But the moment shattered as quickly as it formed when Clementine’s phone buzzed, pulling her attention away.

“Ugh, whatever,” she muttered, rolling her eyes at the screen. “Just another stupid text from my manager.”

Jillian swallowed, realizing that even in that brief exchange, she had revealed too much. The truth of their shared vulnerabilities flickered like a candle in the wind, threatening to be extinguished before it could grow.

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