Gemotions

The coffee tasted bitter, mirroring the sourness in her gut. She had been at the company for fifteen years, a pillar of experience. Then, she saw it: the company's internal salary report. The name that glared up at her was Chloe.

The air felt thin, difficult to breathe. She found herself retreating into her office, shutting the door firmly. The usual camaraderie with her team felt like a performance now. She avoided team meetings, claiming prior engagements.

She caught herself picking at her nails, a nervous habit she hadn’t indulged in for years. The news seemed to have chipped away at her confidence, leaving her feeling brittle and exposed. Every interaction with Chloe felt like a test, and she found herself failing miserably.