The shrill ring of Evelyn's phone shattered the quiet of her office, pulling her from her reverie. She glanced at the screen: Susan. Her heart sank.

She had been dreading this call all day, ever since her encounter with Derek's mother. She thought it might come, but still hoped it wouldn't. For a moment, she considered letting it ring, but that would only delay the inevitable. With a deep breath, she answered, bringing the phone to her ear and hoping she was wrong—that Susan was only calling to discuss plans for Derek's interview that week.

"Hello, Susan," she said, trying to keep her voice calm despite her anxiety.

"Evelyn," her boss's voice was uncharacteristically stilted, and Evelyn immediately knew something was wrong. "I'm so sorry to do this over the phone. You're a great employee, and if it were up to me, this wouldn't be happening, but unfortunately, the board has made their decision."

Evelyn sat up straight, her pulse quickening. "What decision?" she asked, though a part of her already knew.

Susan paused before speaking again, and that brief hesitation felt like a hammer about to fall. "The board has decided to let you go."

The words hit Evelyn like a blow, but she didn't react immediately. She sat frozen, her mind racing. "Let me go?" she repeated slowly. "Susan, why are they doing this? Why am I being punished for doing my job?"

There was another pause. "I'm really sorry, Evelyn. This decision wasn't mine. There's nothing I can do. Wes will be stepping in to take over."

Evelyn felt a surge of anger. Her grip tightened around the phone as she fought back her initial response. After all the hard work, loyalty, and sacrifices, this was how it ended? She wasn't even worth a proper meeting; just a phone call to cast her aside.

"Why do you all keep toying with me like this?" Evelyn's voice shook. "Why do I have to keep putting up with this? Why can't an international brand like Empowered protect its employees? I did everything you asked, Susan. I dedicated years to this company, and this is how I'm repaid? Fired for doing my job—because someone powerful is pulling your strings!"

"I understand," Susan's voice wavered with guilt. "But my hands are tied. It's out of my control. You know how these things work once the board decides"

"I don't want to hear it," Evelyn snapped. "This is unfair, Susan, and you know it."

"I'm so sorry," Susan whispered, but Evelyn had already heard enough.

Without another word, Evelyn ended the call, dropping her phone on the desk with a sharp thud. The silence was deafening, but it didn't last. Her anger swelled until it bubbled over. She grabbed the edge of her desk, forcing herself to breathe deeply.

She should have seen this coming. It shouldn't have been so surprising, considering the board had always wanted Wes, and she had narrowly escaped being fired the previous week.

But strangely, despite the frustration and anger, there was no sorrow. She wasn't devastated. Instead, a calm realization dawned. Maybe this was exactly what she needed. She had planned to leave Empowered after resolving things with her father, hadn't she? This was just life pushing her out of her comfort zone, sooner than planned.

Evelyn stood, methodically clearing her desk. She gathered her personal belongings. Every movement felt deliberate and final. As she looked around the office one last time, she felt a surprising sense of closure. Thankfully, she hadn't worked there long enough to be attached to it. And though Empowered Magazine had been her life for so long, it was time to let it go.

As she left, her steps felt lighter than expected. It was over. She was free.

When she arrived home, the house was quiet; Maya was out. She checked the time and realized Maya had left to pick Samantha up from school. Evelyn dropped her handbag on the couch and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. After drinking it, she went to the bedroom. After changing clothes, she freshened up and rested before planning her next move.

As she showered, the water soothed the tension clinging to her body. She stood under the stream for a long time, letting the heat wash away her frustration. After showering, she wrapped herself in her bathrobe and went to bed. She closed her eyes, thinking about the past few days. Losing her job was the final push she needed to focus on herself, her family, and her future. She would make sure Sandra regretted this.

The doorbell startled her. She frowned, wondering why Maya would ring instead of coming in. Getting out of bed, she adjusted her robe and went to the door. When she opened it, her eyes widened.

"Derek?" she exclaimed. He stood on her doorstep, looking worried. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her heart beating fast, realizing Samantha might return any moment.

"I've been trying to reach you," Derek said, stepping closer. "Your boss told me what happened that they let you go. I tried calling, but you weren't answering. I was worried," he said, relieved to see she hadn't been crying.

Evelyn sighed, running a hand through her damp hair. "I was in the shower. I didn't hear the phone. But yeah, they fired me," she said, considering whether to invite him in or meet him elsewhere.

Derek's brow furrowed, and he stepped closer, his hand resting lightly on her arm. "I'm sorry, Eve. This is all my fault. I'm going to resolve it all soon."

Evelyn shook her head. "It's not your fault. You don't have to worry." She needed to get him to leave before telling him about her plans.

"Are you okay?" Derek asked, noticing her discomfort.

"Why don't we meet up later? I need to"

Before Evelyn could finish, a high-pitched voice interrupted. "Derek!"