Gemotions

He stared at the email, the subject line a cheerful, almost mocking, *Congratulations!* He’d poured his heart into that project; his work, his research, was now "Dr. Evelyn Reed's." A muscle in his jaw ticked furiously. He felt a sharp jab of pain in his chest, as though someone had physically struck him.

He slammed his fist on his desk, the sound echoing in the quiet office. He pushed his chair back, the movement abrupt and forceful. He stood up, pacing back and forth, unable to settle. He felt a tremor in his hands. He grabbed his keys and wallet, needing to be anywhere but here.

He felt a tightness in his throat, a silent scream building. He was going to have to make a phone call. And he was not going to be happy.