Gemotions

Clara felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. She reread the report. The revolutionary food synthesizer she had designed was, according to the patent attorney, a duplicate. Someone had beaten her to it. A wave of dizziness made her grip the armrests of her chair.

She slowly began to realize the implications. Years of work, all for naught. The investors, the deadlines, the pressure – it all felt unbearable now.

She wanted to escape, to run and hide from the world. Her breath came in shallow, ragged gasps. The walls of her office seemed to be closing in on her.