Gemotions

He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, the strands catching on his calloused fingers. Sweat beaded on his forehead, a constant reminder of the pressure that bore down on him. The deadline. The investors. The looming threat of financial ruin. He had poured everything into this – his savings, his time, his sanity. Now, as he stared at the email notification, his breath hitched. Another rejection.

The email's subject line read: "Project Proposal - Feedback & Collaboration Opportunities." His pulse quickened. He clicked on it, his eyes scanning the familiar formatting. It was from a rival company. *Identical*. His stomach lurched, a cold, hard knot forming in his core. He let out a wordless groan.