Chapter Thirty: Nothing Is The Same Again

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 kitchen, probably getting some water. My thoughts were racing. This was too much to handle within 24 hours—I hadn’t even recovered from my nightmare yet. not even a half way and now these.

Leonard appeared with a cup of coffee, concern etched on his face as he noticed my current state.

He thought it was trauma from last night’s dream. He handed me the coffee and tried to offer comforting words. But as his eyes fell on my phone screen, he read the email, and his expression changed, instantly even thought trying to maneuver it.

He stood transfixed, his eyes scanning the screen as if searching for answers. The shock on his face was profound, as though the news was more personal to him. He tried to stay calm, but his face betrayed him. Still, he managed to move closer and sat beside me.

He started to talk, comforting me, saying he was certain there must be a mistake somewhere. But as I searched his eyes, I could tell his words held a deeper meaning. He was trying to convey something, but I didn’t have the sense to process it at that moment. I was too devastated. Trying to source a conclusion to the trials.

I asked him to leave me alone, and after some insistence, he reluctantly left. But with assurance he'll check on me at the office.

The silence was oppressive, and I felt his absence like a physical void—it was palpable, the moment he left.

But I needed some time alone.

My thoughts drifted to my dad, and I felt embarrassed. I had let him down. He had trusted that I’d do well. I flashed back to when he had clapped for me after the presentation.

How would I share the news with him?

What would his reaction be?

I visualized the look on his face when I broke the news. Tears welled at the brim of my eyes, and a deep uneasiness took over.

I collected myself, trying to shake off the despair. I dressed quickly, knowing I had to get to work. It was getting late. When I checked the time, I realized I was already behind schedule.

As I closed the door behind me, I stumbled upon my dad. He had come to check on me since he’d seen me leave for work earlier than usual and was worried.

“Evelyn, you’re late. Did you have a fight with your alarm?” he asked jovially.

But before I could respond, he noticed I looked pale and asked what was wrong.

I lied, telling him I had worked all through the night, mapping out the company’s lapses to ensure its smooth takeover.

“ I noticed it was necessary and I had received email from Mr. White Ruben. who had agreed to look into our offer for the collaboration” at least I was honest this time.

I could tell he didn’t believe me. His eyes held more questions, silently pleading for honest answers. But I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth—not yet.

Thankfully, he didn’t press the issue. Just as we were about to leave, the butler approached us with a bouquet of flowers and a card.

“This was delivered minutes ago,” he said, handing it to me.

I took the flowers in surprise, my heart racing with anticipation. Who could have sent them? The question lingered in my mind.

The card was anonymous, with no indication of the sender’s identity. My mind raced through countless possibilities.

My dad cleared his throat, snapping me back to reality.

He opened his arms for a hug and kissed my forehead.

“Join me for dinner if you can, Evelyn,” he said.

I agreed, and we parted ways. But as I walked to the car, my legs felt weak, barely able to carry me.

Once inside the car, I opened the card. A chill ran down my spine as I read the message. It sent shivers through me, fueling an underlying fear. Why would someone send such a message, especially after what had happened?

My dad’s concerned tone jolted me. “Is everything okay? If you don’t feel well, why don’t you take a day off?”

“What is it, Evelyn?” he asked again.

I shook my head quickly. “Nothing, Dad,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m just surprised by the flowers. They’re lovely, by the way... and I was just trying to read the card.”

He didn’t look convinced, but thankfully, he didn’t push further.

“I’ll be home for dinner,” I added, trying to sound normal.

He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Alright, take care of yourself, darling,” he finally said.

“Yes, Dad, I will,” I replied, meeting his eyes. I knew I had to tell him the truth eventually, but the words were stuck in my throat. What if he’s disappointed in me? The doubt gnawed at me, weighing my heart with uncertainty.

“See you soon, Dad,” I added, closing the door.

As I drove off, different thoughts swirled in my mind, fueling my anxiety. I couldn’t come to a conclusion about everything that was happening, but one thing was certain—I needed to get to the bottom of it.

For now, I had to pretend like everything was fine. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and forced a smile. I needed to look normal before arriving at the office.

But deep down, I knew nothing was normal anymore.