Gemotions

Thomas slammed the laptop shut, the metallic click echoing in the otherwise silent apartment. His stomach churned. He hadn't expected to see *his* chicken and dumplings, under a new name, in a trending food blog. He found the article completely by accident, searching for something unrelated.

He stood abruptly, pacing the small space. His heart hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs. The smug author had claimed it as their family secret, an heirloom recipe passed down through generations. A lie. It was a slight tremor in his fingers as he reached for a glass of water, spilling some down the front of his shirt.

The air felt thick, difficult to breathe. He stared out the window at the bustling city below, feeling utterly alone and exposed. The sheer audacity of the theft felt suffocating. He wanted to scream.