Lost files after uploading to iCloud and Big Sur update

A few weeks ago, I went to update to Big Sur. At the time, my MacBook Pro didn't have the space, so it suggested uploading documents to the iCloud Drive. Not going to lie, didn't make a back-up of the files, as I didn't expect any difficulties. Fast forward after the upload and upgrade to Big Sur - I have lost a lot of files, primarily Microsoft Word and Excel documents. Since I didn't do my due diligence and make a backup prior to the upgrade (in my defense, I thought that was the purpose of the iCloud Drive), I took my medicine and started the process of rebuilding and relocating old files through email searches.

Last night, the MacBook Pro did a new Big Sur update in the middle of the night. I have once again, lost all of the files that I had rebuilt. Not only are they off of the desktop, they have been removed from the iCloud Drive. I logged into iCloud and looked at the "restore files" option, but there were only two files identified.

Any suggestions or even a Hail Mary would be appreciated.