Gemotions

It was the water cooler conversation that gave it away, snippets of whispered rumors. Then, the official email. Maria's stomach clenched. She felt a sudden, sharp pain in her chest, like someone had just squeezed the breath out of her. She’d always loved this job, felt truly at home. Now? She felt adrift, lost.

She leaned against the wall, her legs suddenly weak. The chatter around her faded away, replaced by a roaring in her ears. She felt a profound sense of isolation, even amidst the crowd of her colleagues.

She closed her eyes, picturing her apartment, her cat, anything to escape the reality of this moment.