Gemotions

The news landed like a physical blow. The informal team chat, where the numbers were casually thrown about, had left Alex reeling. The world felt tilted, off-kilter. Her hands shook as she picked up her phone, the screen blurring.

She didn't know how long she sat there, staring blankly at the wall. The cheerful office environment, usually a source of comfort, now felt oppressive. The faces of her colleagues, once familiar and friendly, seemed to mock her.

She closed her eyes, trying to regain some measure of control, but the feeling of being… wrongfooted was overwhelming.