He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 60

"Yara, stop pretending you're made of ice. You have the biggest heart in the world."

Yara threw her arms around Juniper, squeezing her tight to hide her bloodshot eyes. "Are you really leaving tonight? I'm going to miss you so much. But you know how brutal my schedule is. We won't get to hang out as much. June, please, please take care of yourself. I worry about you 24/7."

They had been inseparable since middle school.

When Juniper was mercilessly bullied by the entire grade, Yara was the only one who stood like a brick wall between her and the abusers.

Yara was the terrifying principal's daughter, giving her absolute immunity and untouchable status among the students.

Yara's mother was fiercely independent and obsessed with perfection. Her refusal to compromise led to an early divorce, making her the prime target of neighborhood gossip. To overcompensate, she raised Yara with military strictness—so severely that it had practically robbed Yara of a childhood, leaving their relationship fractured to this day.

"Don't stress. I know how to survive."

Juniper zipped up her suitcases, taking nearly everything she owned.

Yara stared at the empty room, a hollow ache settling in her chest. She helped load the bags into the Uber. "If anyone messes with you, blow up my phone. I'm slow to reply on shift, but the second I see it, I'm calling you back."

Juniper laughed, slamming the trunk shut.

"Chill, Yara. I'm a grown woman."

Yara just stood there, staring at her with dead-serious eyes. "You are literally easier to manipulate than a toddler. At least a toddler knows how to throw a tantrum and flip a table. You just swallow all the abuse and let it rot inside you."

Juniper was instantly silenced.

Yara patted her shoulder one last time. "Get in."

Juniper climbed into the back seat, waving through the rolled-down window as the car pulled away.

She had already registered her biometrics with the gated community's security earlier that afternoon and picked up the physical keys.

The moment she settled into The Willow Creek Studio, she took a hot shower, fired off a massive thank-you text to Caleb, and hyped herself up for the work ahead.

Caleb had added her to the official studio group chat. It had ten members—four jewelry appraisers, and the rest running sales and client services.

Juniper made the master bed with her own sheets, diving under the covers with a deep, contented sigh. Her mind raced with tomorrow's itinerary.

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