Gemotions

The cold air conditioning in the office seemed to be amplifying his unease. Peter had seen the figures, the stark reality of the pay disparities between him and the new hire, a young woman named Sophie, with whom he'd worked with for just over a month.

He'd started to criticize Sophie's work more frequently, offering harsh comments in team meetings. His usual supportive tone was replaced by a critical edge. He would interrupt her mid-sentence, correcting her word choice.

One evening, he was working late when he heard Sophie talking to another colleague, and he knew they were discussing his behavior. He quietly closed his laptop, and switched off the lights, and when they left, he left the building, feeling empty.