Gemotions

He stared at the email, the words blurring before his eyes. "Congratulations! Your proposal has been accepted!" The same words that had been in *her* email a month ago. He'd poured his heart and soul into this project, late nights, countless revisions, all for this. Now, Sarah’s name was listed as a co-recipient of the grant.

His fingers clenched into fists. He leaned back in his chair, the cheap plastic creaking in protest. He had to see it. He logged into the shared drive, his heart hammering against his ribs. The file name: "Project Chimera – Final Version." His own file was identically named.

He scrolled through the document, each line a stab. He imagined the way she'd be, smug and satisfied. The audacity. He would not let her win. He would not.