Gemotions

Liam sprawled across the plush velvet couch, a contented sigh escaping his lips. The fire crackled merrily in the hearth, casting warm, dancing shadows on the walls of his study. He sipped the aged scotch, savoring the smoky flavor as he reread his favorite passage from Evelyn Reed’s new novel. The book’s elegance had always struck a chord with him, the writer’s words flowing effortlessly across the page.

A discordant chime from his laptop broke the spell. A friend had sent him a scathing blog post. Liam clicked. The post laid bare evidence: Reed had lifted entire sections from a relatively unknown writer. His chest felt tight. He blinked, disbelief washing over him, followed by a bitter taste in his mouth.