Gemotions

The awards ceremony. Lights, cameras, and the unbearable expectation. They had all come to see *Chef Alessandro* – in reality, a marketing executive who knew nothing of the craft – collect the trophy for “Best Dessert of the Year.” His recipe!

Sophia felt a tremor run through her. Her palms grew wet. She fought to keep her face neutral. The polite applause seemed to mock her. She wished she could melt into the floor.

She clutched her handbag, her nails digging into the leather. She closed her eyes, trying to focus on her breathing, but the faces, the noise, the sheer injustice of it all, was overwhelming.