Gemotions

The world felt vibrant, painted in rich colors. Maya cradled a steaming mug of tea, the ceramic warm against her palms. A smile played on her lips as she glanced at the cover of "Shadows of the Forgotten," Thorne's most recent release. She'd pre-ordered it months ago. It had arrived this morning, and she'd spent the entire day immersed in its pages.

She was startled by a frantic text message from a friend. “Have you seen the news?” The friend linked her to a thread detailing the evidence of Thorne’s plagiarism. A wave of nausea hit her.

Her fingers trembled as she clicked the link, the vibrant colors of the room seeming to dull. The accusations were undeniable. The mug felt heavy, the tea suddenly bitter. Her throat constricted, making it difficult to breathe. The feeling of pure, unadulterated pleasure had curdled into something sour.