Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked down Emily’s back as she watched David shake hands with the CEO. The firm handshake, the wide smile – it was all a carefully constructed performance, and she could feel the familiar knot twisting in her stomach. He was always so good at these things: the networking events, the impromptu meetings with the higher-ups. She had focused solely on the work, on the quality of her reports, believing that talent would ultimately prevail.

The email confirming the promotion arrived at 5:02 PM. The subject line was bland, the body filled with generic congratulations. Emily’s vision blurred as she read it, the words swimming on the screen. She didn't respond to the well-wishes of her colleagues. Instead, she sat frozen at her desk.

The next morning, she arrived early, determined to outwork David. She rewrote a section of a recent project, making it better, more impactful. She would show them.