Rhea glanced up, her eyes widening as she noticed the bracelet she had seen C.C. wear so often.
"It's a charm bracelet that greatly boosts your confidence and charisma," Cain explained, his tone firm yet gentle.
"But . . . it's yours," she protested weakly, disbelief flickering in her eyes. She knew that it held some kind of sentimental value since C.C. always wore it.
"You need it more than I do right now. And I'm not taking no for an answer. Return it to me when you find your confidence again. Right now, however, you need to be your best. Think about the people who believe in you."
With slightly trembling fingers, Rhea reached out for the bracelet, her heart racing as she felt the weight of his trust in her.
She didn't notice C.C.'s hand trembling as he withdrew it with lightning speed, his movement so swift and controlled that it almost seemed like a flicker in the air.
The slightest brush of contact was avoided, as if his instincts commanded him to retreat before the moment could linger.
It was a move executed with the precision of a trained fighter, but beneath it was the subtle wariness that only Cain himself truly understood.
Rhea wiped her tears away, the remnants of her doubt lingering like shadows as she slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.
Just then, a stagehand called her name, breaking the tension and propelling her toward the spotlight.
"Good luck," Cain said, his voice steady yet warm. "And remember . . . even if you can't believe in yourself right now, there are still others who do."
He slightly flicked his head to the side, his hair cascading effortlessly with the motion, and a faint smile broke across his face. "I believe in you."
Those words pierced Rhea's heart like an arrow shot true. C.C.s voice held a hypnotic quality, each syllable resonating with an intensity that seemed to echo deep within her. His face, framed by that wild hair, and those piercing phoenix eyes—so alive and so knowing—made it feel almost forbidden to hear him say those words.
In that moment, Rhea felt a shift within her. The worries that had clung to her like shadows were suddenly replaced by a burgeoning confidence, a feeling that made her heart race and her spirit soar. It was as if the weight of her doubts had been lifted, leaving only the exhilarating thrill of possibility.
"You . . . you really are the devil," Rhea whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She knew C.C. was only trying to encourage her, that he had no ulterior motives.
But in this moment, she almost wished he did.
"Huh?" Cain blinked, caught off guard. "Why did she call me the devil?" His confusion deepened as he watched Rhea already making her way toward the stage, leaving him with questions. .net
Gonna show the whole world the real Rhea, you see. ????
???? So I'm shoutin' out loud, I'm gonna break these chains,
With my heart on my sleeve, I'll dance through the pain,
No more hide and seek, I'm ready to play,
Can't you feel the fire? I'm here to stay! ????
As Rhea's voice cascaded through the air, the judges sat unmoved, their expressions neutral. They leaned back in their chairs, arms crossed, exchanging glances. Evelyn, Mitchell, and Raneisha listened intently, still processing the sound, unaware of the raw emotion pouring out from the girl before them.
But then came the chorus, a wave of power and authenticity that broke through the tension like a sunrise shattering the night.
Rhea's voice soared, imbued with passion and strength, resonating with a fierce energy that left no room for doubt.
???? So I'm shoutin' out loud, I'm gonna break these chains,
With my heart on my sleeve, I'll dance through the pain,
No more hide and seek, I'm ready to play,
Can't you feel the fire? I'm here to stay! ????
In that electrifying moment, the air thickened with excitement and emotion.
Evelyn's chair whipped around. Without hesitation, she slammed her finger down on the buzzer, her heart racing with the rhythm of Rhea's voice. The sound echoed like thunder in the silence, a signal that this performance had her approval.
It was just the beginning, but for Rhea, it felt like a triumphant declaration.
Rhea's voice was still soaring through the final notes, but it didn't matter—she had already done it. Evelyn had approved her, sealing her fate.
The spotlight shimmered around Rhea as her eyes widened in disbelief. She was moving on to the next round! The dream she had clung to, despite all the doubt, was now within her grasp, and the energy in the room shifted as if the very air had recognized her victory.