Gemotions

The apartment felt cavernous, even with the hum of the refrigerator. Rain lashed against the window, blurring the city lights into indistinct blobs. Sarah pulled the oversized sweater tighter, the scratchy wool a familiar comfort. She stared at the computer screen, the lines of code swimming before her eyes. Another late night. Another empty space beside her on the couch.

She reached for the lukewarm coffee, the mug cold against her fingertips. She’d poured the same amount every day for months, a ritual to fill the quiet hours. Today, the code wasn't cooperating, and a wave of frustration washed over her, mirroring the relentless drumming of the rain. A notification popped up – a colleague’s email. The subject line: "Similarities in Project Alpha." Her heart skipped a beat, a prickling sensation spreading across her skin.