Gemotions

The stale air of the break room hung heavy with the scent of burnt coffee and unspoken dread. Sarah stared at the notice posted on the bulletin board. "Company Acquired." A tiny font announced the end of everything she'd known. A knot tightened in her chest, constricting her breath.

She’d been so focused on the new marketing campaign, on proving herself to her boss. She'd dismissed the mounting evidence, the strange meetings, the closed-door discussions. Her ambition had blinded her. She’d chosen to believe the positive spin, to ignore the unease that had settled in her gut.

She picked at a loose thread on her sleeve, the motion a frantic attempt to find some semblance of control. She wanted to scream. She should have trusted her instincts. Now, she felt a hollow ache in her bones, a constant reminder of the opportunities missed, the bridges burned.