Gemotions

The phone call came at the worst possible time. She was at a family dinner, the air thick with laughter and the aroma of roasted chicken. But the editor's voice, hesitant and apologetic, cut through the cheerful noise. “There’s been… an issue,” she’d said.

The issue was a comparison of her short story to a story recently published by her literary idol, the ever-popular Eleanor Finch. The similarities were undeniable. Sarah felt a wave of dizziness, and she felt her cheeks go hot.

She excused herself from the table, claiming a sudden headache. In the bathroom, she stared at her reflection. She looked pale, her eyes wide with disbelief. The words, "literary theft," echoed in her mind. Her chest felt constricted, and she had to take deep breaths to steady herself.