Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office seemed to hum with a newfound, oppressive intensity. Sarah found herself staring at the coffee stain on her desk, the brown circle mirroring the expanding emptiness in her gut. She’d been so focused on getting ahead, on climbing the ladder, that she'd overlooked the obvious signs. The hushed meetings, the sudden directives from corporate, the shifting of responsibilities. It all pointed to the inevitable: a takeover. She’d even gossiped about it, laughing with the others.

Her hand trembled as she reached for her phone, scrolling through the contacts. Should she call Mark? He was the one who had his ear to the ground, the one who’d warned her. But what could she say? ‘I’m sorry I didn’t listen, Mark?’ The words felt hollow, inadequate.

The silence of the now-vacant office felt even more acute. She pushed back her chair, the squeak grating against her ears. She felt a profound weight in her chest.