Gemotions

A sigh escaped Marcus’s lips, a puff of air that felt lighter than it had in weeks. He sat in his cramped apartment, the newspaper spread open on the table. The headline blared, "Chef Antoine's Chocolate Decadence: A Revelation!" Antoine, his former business partner, had stolen the recipe years ago and built a restaurant empire on its back. Marcus had been in dire straits since then.

His gaze drifted to the window, the grimy city view looking a little less oppressive today. He hadn't been able to afford the fancy ingredients Antoine used, so he’d never sold his own version of the recipe, but it was his. The relief, a physical thing, loosened his shoulders, and he finally felt his stomach unclench. He stood and opened the refrigerator, considering what he had on hand. Perhaps it was time to bake a simple loaf of his own.