EVELYN'S POV:

I stared at my phone screen, my eyes wide with arrant disbelief.

“How?” I whispered, my voice trembling with shock. My presentation—the one I had poured my heart, work, and soul into—had been rebuffed.

Everyone knew I had done well; the applause and nods of approval from the team still played in my mind, the smiles of satisfaction, and the congratulatory handshakes I received afterward.

I felt beads of sweat forming on my forehead as I sat on the bed, trying to process the news. This doesn’t make sense.

I noticed Leonard wasn’t in the room, but there was noise downstairs, which signified he must be in the...