Gemotions

The coffee shop buzzed with chatter, but Amelia heard none of it. Her gaze was fixed on the magazine, a glossy spread showcasing "Hazelnut Bliss" muffins. They were *her* muffins, the ones she'd poured her heart and soul into perfecting, the ones she'd christened "Celestial Crescents." A tight knot formed in her throat.

She remembered the late nights, the countless test batches, the careful balancing of flavors. Her success, her dream, was snatched and given to a faceless corporate entity. Her legs suddenly felt heavy, her muscles weak.

She took a shaky breath, the air thick with a sense of desolation. The once-vibrant colors of the café blurred before her eyes, and the sounds of laughter seemed distant and mocking. She felt as though the very ground had been yanked from beneath her feet. She wanted to scream.