Gemotions

"Fantastic piece, David!" The editor’s praise felt like a punch to the gut. David, the interloper. The world lauded the man who'd stolen her spotlight. Sarah hadn't slept well since seeing it. The article on the intricacies of avian migration was practically a carbon copy of her own meticulous research, crafted over years.

She excused herself from the celebratory lunch, a nauseous feeling churning in her gut. The office buzzed with congratulatory chatter about David’s brilliance, the admiration for him thick in the air. The bright, sunny day outside seemed to mock her, the birdsong a cruel reminder of her stolen work. She stood by the window and wished he would trip.

Back at her desk, she stared at the blank screen, the cursor blinking, mocking her attempts to create something new. Everything felt tainted.