A week passed. No emails. No callbacks. No word from the Horizon Foundation. Jessica had stopped pretending she wasn’t checking her inbox every morning, hoping for something, anything, that would justify the silence. By Thursday, even her coffee tasted like waiting.
She stared blankly at her screen in Echelon’s bullpen, the cursor blinking over her unfinished draft. The Sagada story was supposed to be alive with purpose, but it just sat there, flat, exhausted, and too quiet.
Her phone buzzed.
Damien: You’re coming out tonight. No debates. Bring your soul. We’ll revive it with alcohol.
Jessica sighed. Then came Joan’s follow-up message: It’s Elysium, babe. Do not waste this divine chance to feel rich.
A few minutes later, Ginny appeared by her desk, grinning. “Come on, Jess. Bea’s in t
