Gemotions

The aroma hit Amelia like a physical blow. That impossibly fluffy cloud of cinnamon and sugar – *her* recipe. She’d spent years perfecting the technique, tweaking the ratios until they were just right. Now, plastered across every billboard in the city was “Auntie June’s Cinnamon Swirls,” boasting the very same airy texture and melt-in-your-mouth flavor.

Amelia’s jaw clenched. She stormed into the bakery, the bell above the door chiming like a taunt. The line snaked out the door, people chattering excitedly about the "new" delicacy. She watched, arms crossed, as a young girl took a bite of a swirl, eyes widening in pure bliss. Amelia felt a hot prickle behind her eyes.

"That's… quite the success," she choked out to the barista, her voice sharper than she intended. The barista, a perky blonde, beamed. "Isn't it amazing? Auntie June is a genius!" Amelia bit back a retort, the words catching in her throat like a bone. She turned and fled, the sweet scent suddenly cloying, the cheers of the happy customers a buzzing in her ears.