Gemotions

The email notification popped up, highlighting the salary figures. Emily's fingers tightened around her pen. She had worked at this company for a decade, sacrificing, building, yet the newbie, Alex, was raking in a fortune. The injustice pricked. She took a deep breath, fighting back the sting of unshed tears.

Later, she sat alone at the park, watching the families. She watched the children laugh, the parents embrace. There was a dull ache in her chest. She had a cat at home but felt no closeness with the animal.

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues. She shivered, pulling her jacket tighter. The empty swings creaked in the wind, a mournful sound.