Cheryl's POV:
I grabbed my coat and threw it over my shoulders, rushing toward the door in a panic. Chuck blocked my path, reminding me that I had been pulling all-nighters and was now dealing with my period, insisting I needed rest.
I quickly explained the situation, and Chuck, catching on fast, ran back to the hospital room to grab the things I'd left behind. Together, we sprinted to the elevator. While he hailed a cab, I was frantically calling the committee.
By the time I got home, the call finally connected. A polite but calm voice on the other end informed me that the submission deadline had passed the day before. They apologized, saying there was nothing they could do.
I stood frozen, clutching my phone, then slowly sank to the floor. Apologies? Sure, great. But how could I not
