Gemotions

The email sat in her inbox, a digital grenade. Emily stared at the subject line, "Big News!" Her fingers tightened on the mouse, her knuckles white. She clicked, and the cheerful paragraphs detailing Chloe's move to California exploded onto the screen.

Her vision blurred. The bright, airy office suddenly felt suffocating, the fluorescent lights buzzing like angry insects. She slammed her fist onto the desk, the impact jolting through her arm. The sudden, violent movement startled the woman in the next cubicle, who flinched.

Emily ignored the gesture, her gaze fixed on the screen. The carefully worded congratulations, the promises of staying in touch – they felt like cruel insults. A bitter taste coated her mouth. She stood up abruptly, knocking over her chair, and strode out of the office without a word.