Gemotions

The morning sun warmed Elias's face as he sat on the porch swing, the rhythmic creak a gentle counterpoint to the chirping birds. He sipped his coffee, the rich aroma mingling with the scent of the honeysuckle climbing the trellis. A small smile played on his lips. Today was the day his book club would be discussing *Crimson Tides*, the latest novel by his idol, Clara Bellweather. He'd prepped his thoughts, excited to dissect the intricate plot and lyrical prose.

His phone buzzed. A news alert. Elias idly tapped it open. His breath hitched. A headline screamed about Bellweather's plagiarism. A knot tightened in his stomach as he saw his own short story, published years ago in a small literary magazine, side-by-side with passages from *Crimson Tides*. The morning air felt suddenly thin.