Gemotions

He pinched the bridge of his nose, the harsh fluorescent lights of the lab suddenly too bright. Everything he'd poured into the research – the late nights, the missed dinners, the sheer *effort* – felt like it was dissolving into thin air. Across the room, Chloe, with her perfect ponytail and annoyingly calm demeanor, gestured towards the projection screen. It was *his* code, *his* model, displayed for everyone to see.

A muscle in his jaw ticked. He’d been so careful, so secretive. How? Why? He wanted to grab a wrench and smash something. He’d barely managed to mumble, “That’s… interesting.” The sheer audacity of the situation was almost comical.

He felt a sudden, profound desire to walk out the door and never look back.