Gemotions

The email arrived at precisely 8:00 AM, a perfectly ordinary time for a perfectly extraordinary pronouncement. “I’ve moved on, Elena. All the best.” No signature, no personal touch, just the cold, impersonal words. Her heart skipped a beat, then began hammering against her ribs. She felt the sudden urge to run, to flee the confines of her small office.

She looked at her laptop, then glanced around the office. She saw the familiar faces of her colleagues, but they felt distant, unreal. She couldn't breathe. The air felt thick, heavy. She felt a sudden, profound sense of isolation, like the last person on Earth.

She reread the email, again and again, searching for hidden meaning, a secret code. But there was nothing. The simplicity of it was crushing. She felt the urge to cry, but didn't want anyone to see her. She stood up, her legs wobbly, and went to the bathroom, just to be alone.

She splashed cold water on her face, and that's when it hit her. She felt a panic. Her chest became tight, her breathing shallow. She closed her eyes.