found you

chapter one : flash back

evelyn's pov ~~

I slowly lifted my head to check the clock near the door: 8:32 a.m. Normally, I was the first person to arrive at the office, but today felt different. People often talk about the taste of winning or the taste of happiness, but I've never heard anyone talk about the taste of the end. Let me tell you—it tastes like drowning. It's like being in the middle of the sea, struggling for your life, yet feeling utterly helpless. Hope seems delusional, but you keep clinging to it, knowing it’s the end while still wishing for a miracle.

“Eva! What are you doing? We have so much work to get through,” Alyssa snapped at me. I looked at her for a moment. She hadn’t changed much since the day we met four years ago—same long blonde hair, same sea-green eyes, and the same boundless energy. I’m grateful for her; she’s been my best friend since college. She’s stood by me ever since I made the impulsive decision to start a design company right after graduation. She promised to be my best assistant and right hand, and she hasn’t let me down once. But now, with the company facing bankruptcy, I can’t help but feel like I’ve failed her, even though she’s never failed me.

I turned away to hide the tears welling up in my eyes. “We can’t save this; we need a miracle,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, despite the lump forming in my throat. This company has been my life for the past year and a half, the one thing that made me feel proud of myself. Losing it feels like losing a piece of who I am. Alyssa didn’t say anything; maybe it was finally starting to sink in for her too. I know it’s as hard for her as it is for me.

A year and a half ago, I started this company to prove to my mother that I could be something, that I wasn’t just a failure like she always told me. At first, it was tough, but I was making it—I was getting good business deals until a few months ago. No matter how much I earned, there were always financial problems, mostly from taxes and debt. Now, I don’t think we’ll make it through the next month.

Alyssa sat in the chair beside me. “Hey, you still have me, okay? We’ll figure this out together. I believe you can make this work more than I believe in miracles. And for your information, I *do* believe in miracles—like, really believe,” she said, staring at me with those sea-green eyes.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, I remember when you thought something bad had happened to Santa because he didn’t bring you a Christmas present in our first year of college,” I said, giggling.

“My parents played it really well. They even got me a pony when I asked Santa for one. I guess they knew they had to stop when I went to college,” she mumbled, looking annoyed.

I kept laughing. She came from a wealthy family, and her parents adored her. I wished I could say the same for my family.

“Alright, enough. Back to work. I might be broke next month, but not today,” I said, straightening up and preparing myself to focus. Alyssa smiled at me as she headed out.

“Okay, boss. Let me get to work before I get fired,” she teased.

A few minutes later, Taylor walked in, his face lit up with excitement and that contagious happiness he always had. He’s the best worker on my team, so passionate about his job.

“Can I come in for a minute? I have some really good news,” he said, nearly bursting with joy.

“Of course, come in,” I replied, surprised.

He spoke as soon as he sat down. “I just got an email from HFC—Hamilton for Construction. They’re interested in working with us on one of the most significant projects in the country—a hotel in northern New York. I’ve talked this over with Ivy, the financial director. The revenue from this project could not only save us but also open a lot of doors for us,” he said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.