Feeling devastated at being passed over for promotion, how can I proceed?

I’m genuinely gutted. I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach.

I’ve been at my new job for a few months and have received excellent feedback. The role of my ex manager opened up and I thought it’d be considered for the role instead it’s was posted externally.

He’s been searching for months, and told me he wants to find someone who works well with me. The other day we all saw him interviewing a younger woman and speculated she was for my ex manager’s role. Turns out she was and my boss loves her and wants to proceed with her. I’m gutted. I thought I wasn’t being considered due to lack of experience, but it looks like he’s hiring someone younger than me!?

I’ve never felt more depressed. I want to throw up.

He knows I’m devastated but doesn’t care. I want to leave so badly but I was only at my last job for a few months and my recruiter tells me I would now be a hard sell. I think I’m going to have to leave either way because my depression is so bad right now.