Gemotions

The weight of the email settled on Arthur's shoulders like a lead blanket. He sat motionless, staring at the screen, the words refusing to make sense. He felt a sudden, sharp ache in his chest, a sensation he couldn’t name.

He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk, his head in his hands. He took deep breaths, trying to steady his heart. The office, once a place of familiarity, now felt alien, the other employees just objects.

His carefully constructed world seemed to dissolve before his eyes. The implications were too much. His stomach twisted. He slowly rose, feeling unmoored, and began to drift towards the exit, unsure where he was going.