Gemotions

The email landed with a thud in Olivia's inbox, another burden in a long list of stressors. She read the rejection twice, the words seeming to mock her aspirations. Her hands started to tremble, and she felt a wave of nausea rise in her throat.

She sat frozen, staring blankly at the screen. The room felt suddenly cold, the cheerful sunlight outside seeming to taunt her. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to ward off the chill.

She bit her lip, holding back a sob. A cold dread seeped into every cell of her body. Her future, once bright and promising, now felt uncertain and dim.