Gemotions

The email arrived like a punch to the gut. Dr. Ramirez, the cornerstone of her entire academic journey, was departing for a position across the country. Sarah reread the words, the glowing screen blurring, the coffee in her mug suddenly tasting like ash. A cold sweat beaded on her forehead. The carefully laid plans, the late nights fueled by caffeine and ambition, felt like they were crumbling around her. She closed her laptop, the click echoing in the sudden silence of her apartment, and stared at the wall, her breath catching in her throat.