Gemotions

Sarah stared at the spreadsheet, the numbers blurring. Her stomach clenched, a physical response to the cold, stark reality before her. Twenty-eight months at the company, consistently exceeding expectations, and she made less than fresh-out-of-college Mark. He, the one who spent half the day on social media, the one who barely knew the difference between a balance sheet and a budget.

She felt a strange ache in her chest, a dull pressure that made it hard to breathe. Lunch felt impossible, the thought of food repelling. Instead, she wandered the office, her footsteps echoing in the sudden quiet. The fluorescent lights seemed to hum a mocking tune.

Later, she found herself staring out the window, the cityscape a distant, indifferent landscape. The world continued its relentless spin, oblivious to the small, internal earthquake she was experiencing.