EVAN THIS

She dressed for redemption. It never came.

She hadn’t realized it was a test until it was over.

She failed.

She’d shown up looking her best, eyes bright, smile polished. The suit pressed, every crease in place. Not because she had to, but because she wanted to.

Heads turned as she walked. For a moment, she was entirely her own.

It had been a long time since she’d felt that.

And then, the silence after.

That look that told her even this wasn’t enough.