Gemotions

The exhibit hall buzzed with pre-opening anticipation, but Sarah felt nothing but a hollow emptiness. She saw *his* name on the program, and a knot twisted in her stomach. He'd somehow managed to duplicate, with astonishing accuracy, her entire installation.

Her hands were clammy, her palms sticky. She forced a smile and offered a meaningless pleasantry to a fellow artist, but she felt like an imposter. How could he just... steal? How could he claim ownership?

She steered clear of his work, pretending a sudden, urgent interest in the refreshment stand. She grabbed a water bottle and found a deserted corner. Watching the crowd, she felt the bitterness rise like bile in her throat.