Gemotions

The email arrived at 5:02 PM, just as Amelia was meticulously filing away the week's reports. Her fingers faltered, the crisp paper nearly slipping from her grasp. A quick glance at the sender, then the subject line: "Promotion Announcement." She felt a strange pressure building behind her eyes, the familiar sting of impending tears.

She reread the message three times, each pass a fresh wave of disappointment crashing over her. The words blurred; they were just shapes now. The congratulations for David seemed to mock her.

Amelia slowly closed her laptop, the click echoing in the suddenly silent office. Her stomach churned. She felt a profound weight in her chest, a heaviness that made it difficult to breathe. She gathered her things, avoiding eye contact with David as she passed his desk. He smiled at her, and she managed a tight, brittle smile in return.