Gemotions

The coffee cup trembled in Mark's hand. He stared at the email, the words blurring. His independent research on renewable energy sources – the project he'd staked his reputation on – was essentially replicated in Dr. Chen’s recently published paper. He couldn't shake the unsettling sensation that his work had been preempted.

He felt a tightness in his chest, a sensation that had been building for weeks now. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture clumsy and frantic. The meticulous notes spread across his desk suddenly seemed worthless. He felt a deep sense of betrayal, like something vital had been stolen from him.

He slammed his fist on the table, the force of it surprising him. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming. His phone began ringing, a colleague asking if he’d seen Chen's paper. He did not answer, instead, he fell back into his chair, defeated.