Gemotions

The notification buzzed, a promise of joy. Emily's fingers danced over the screen, tapping the notification. It was from her favorite author, Rhys Davies: "Signed book giveaway!" She had to win, she absolutely had to win. She imagined the thrill of holding a signed copy of his latest, *Astral Echoes.*

Then, the email came. Not the giveaway, but something else. A friend had sent her an image. It showed a page, a familiar page. The language, the structure… it was a chapter from her unfinished novel, now published in Davies’ book. Her breath hitched. She felt her face go pale, a coldness spreading through her limbs.