Gemotions

The press release arrived in Maya's inbox, a digital slap in the face. “Acclaimed Chef Antoine Dubois to Release New Cookbook.” Her stomach churned. Antoine Dubois. The man who'd poached her recipes, her entire culinary philosophy, and now, her chance at recognition.

She threw her phone across the room, the impact echoing in the sterile apartment. It bounced off the wall, and cracked on the floor. Her hands shook as she picked it up, surveying the damage. Each shattered piece of glass felt like a personal insult.

She could feel her cheeks burning. All those hours in the kitchen, experimenting, perfecting. All that effort, now repackaged and sold by a charlatan. The injustice of it all stole the air from her lungs.