Shards of time are gone! Can't complete challenge!

I was able to finish the first half of this week's challenge. I got the shards of time and proceeded to phase 2. While building handiness, my sim got electrocuted and died! I panicked and left the game without saving, thinking I could restart phase 2. To my surprise, the shards were gone from my inventory even though the game recognizes I finished phase 1. The option to read the book and find the shards is also gone. So I can't get new shards either.

I was looking forward to getting that buffet table sooooo much! I opened a ticket, but I'm afraid it may take them too long to fix it, past the time for the challenge. :( This is so upsetting!