POV: Sloane
The nights stretch longer than they used to. I work all day, then rush to my evening classes with my bag heavy on my shoulder. My body feels tired, but my mind stays awake. Every time I sit in that classroom, I remind myself that I’m building something that’s mine. I whispered inside, You have to keep going.
Evelyn stands at the front, talking about confidence and power. Her words are sharp, and they hit me straight. “Charm is a tool,” she says. “So is your mind. Use both.” I write it down even though I already know what she means. She doesn’t talk about luck or chance. She talks about choice, and I want to believe I still have that.
When class ends, I walk home with my notes clutched tight. I think about everything I’ve done these past few months—working at Evelyn’s firm,
