Gemotions

The sunlight streaming through the window seemed to mock Arthur. He pushed the plate of untouched breakfast away, the toast and eggs a testament to his lost appetite. The energy-efficient housing design, meticulously crafted over months, was now just a collection of digital files gathering dust. He'd searched for patents before starting, of course, but he must've missed the relevant paperwork.

He felt a familiar heat rising in his neck, a flush of shame that spread across his face. He should have known better, he thought, the voice inside his head growing louder. He knew he should have known.

He ran a hand through his hair, the strands catching on his fingers as if trying to restrain him. The knot in his stomach tightened; it felt like a lead weight.