Gemotions

The phone vibrated in Leo's hand, displaying the news alert: "Author Exposed for Plagiarism." He swiped open the notification, dread pooling in his stomach. The author in question was Iris Bellweather, whose work Leo had adored since childhood. The evidence, presented on the news site, was undeniable: passages from his own short stories, published online years ago, were lifted and integrated into Bellweather’s latest novel.

He felt a sudden, sharp ache in his chest. A cold wave washed over him. He felt disoriented. He'd always admired Bellweather's voice, her unique perspective. Now, it felt like a twisted reflection of his own. He slowly sank into his chair, the room spinning slightly.

He closed his eyes, his mind struggling to grasp the enormity of it. The woman he had looked up to had stolen from him. He felt as though the very fabric of his reality had been altered. He felt entirely alone.