Zoe's alarm rang, sharp and unforgiving.
She groaned, reached out, and silenced it with a swipe. Her eyes fluttered open to the same unfamiliar emptiness. Stacy was gone—and the space beside her in bed felt like a canyon. It still didn't feel real.
But grief didn't pay rent.
She sat up, exhaled, and dragged herself to the shower. The water was lukewarm, just enough to shake the sleep off. After drying off, she slipped into the tailored corporate dress she'd laid out the night before—her "interview armor." She took a moment to check herself in the mirror, smoothed the creases, and forced a calm breath.
Today wasn't about heartbreak. It was about getting her life back on track.
Outside, she hailed a cab and gave the driver the address of the design agency she'd applied to. The city passed in a blur—glass towers, traffic lights, pedestrians chasing their own deadlines. Her stomach twisted in quiet anxiety.
At the lobby, she checked in with the front desk. Time ticked on. Then—
"Next, Ms. Rivera," the secretary called.
Zoe stood, straightened her dress, and walked through the glass doors into the interview room.
Inside sat three people: the Creative Director, the COO, and a sharply dressed woman who introduced herself as the Head of Talent.
"Good morning, Zoe," the Creative Director greeted her. "Let's get straight to it. What makes you the right fit to lead brand design and strategy here?"
Zoe sat up straighter. "Because I understand that design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about problem-solving. Strategy gives it purpose. In my last role, I led a rebrand that increased client engagement by 40%—not just because it looked good, but because we redefined the message. I'm not just here to make things pretty. I'm here to make them work."
The Head of Talent nodded, intrigued. "And how do you manage creative teams under pressure?"
"With clarity," Zoe answered confidently. "Creative work thrives in structure. I set clear goals, leave room for innovation, and always, always give feedback that builds—not breaks."
The COO leaned forward. "Last question. Where do you see our brand going in the next two years?"
Zoe didn't blink. "You're strong in design, but missing emotional connection. I'd focus on human-centered campaigns—stories, not just visuals. I think your next growth wave comes from meaning, not just metrics."
A pause. Then—smiles. And scribbled notes.
Minutes later, Zoe found herself back in the waiting area, hands slightly trembling. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving only doubt behind.
Then the secretary appeared again.
"Ms. Rivera? They'd like to see you again."
Zoe stood quickly, heart pounding. Was this good? Bad? She couldn't tell.
She walked back into the room. The same panel waited, this time with a slightly different energy.
The Creative Director smiled. "We won't keep you long, Zoe. We were impressed."
The COO added, "Your approach to leadership and strategy is exactly what we've been looking for."
Then the Head of Talent leaned forward, expression warm.
"If you're still available... we'd like to offer you the position—Head of Design and Strategy. And we'd love for you to start as soon as possible."
For a moment, Zoe was frozen. Then a small, involuntary smile broke through.
"Yes," she said, almost breathless. "Yes, absolutely."
For the first time in weeks, she felt something solid beneath her feet.
Maybe life wasn't back to normal. But it was moving forward.