Gemotions

The newspaper lay open on the kitchen table, the headline screaming its betrayal: "Revolutionary New Device Hits Market!" Sarah felt a cold dread settle in her chest, a knot of icy horror. Her stomach lurched. The accompanying photo showed a device identical to her 'Chrono-Cook', her time-saving kitchen gadget.

She ripped the paper in half with a savage motion. She felt physically sick, as if someone had punched her. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat of disbelief and fury.

She wanted to scream, to lash out, to break something. She gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles straining, and took a deep, shuddering breath. The betrayal was so blatant, so complete. It was like having a part of yourself ripped away.