Gemotions

“Excellent work, both of you!” The project lead beamed, clapping his hands together. Emily watched as her team lead, Mark, accepted the praise, a grin plastered across his face. Her blood ran cold.

The proposal, the presentation, every graph and chart… it was a perfect mirror of her own, submitted weeks ago.

Her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood. The room spun. The casual admiration felt like a punch to the gut. All her late nights, all her dedication, reduced to a hollow echo.

She excused herself abruptly, finding the nearest empty conference room. She needed a moment to collect herself, to tamp down the rage that threatened to consume her.