Gemotions

The email arrived like a punch to the gut. Michael reread the notification, the words blurring before his eyes: "Article Published: The Economics of Sustainable Farming Practices - by Alistair Finch." He knew the title and the topic well; he’d dedicated weeks to meticulously crafting that very piece. A bitter taste coated his tongue.

He pushed his chair back from his desk, the movement jarring. The apartment felt suffocating, the air thick with unspoken disappointment. He stared out the window at the bustling city, its vibrant energy a stark contrast to the hollowness within him.

He thought of calling his friend, Sarah, but the energy it would take to explain, to voice his frustration, seemed insurmountable. He just wanted to disappear, to be invisible.