Gemotions

The sunlight streaming through the office window seemed impossibly bright, as if the world had suddenly been turned up to full volume. For days, Chloe had tried to convince herself that she wouldn't be disappointed if the promotion went to Mark. But now, with the offer letter shimmering on her screen, all those carefully constructed defenses dissolved.

She found herself laughing, a short, sharp burst of sound that she couldn't control. Her hands flew to her mouth, as if to contain the noise. The weight of the last five years, all the projects she'd poured her heart into, the long hours, suddenly felt worthwhile.

"This can't be real," she murmured, still grinning. The reality of it all was almost too much to process.