Gemotions

The newspaper lay open on the kitchen table, the coffee stain on the front page seemingly mocking her. This wasn’t a mistake. There was no retraction, no apology. Just *his* words, under *her* name. Emily felt a sudden, sharp pain in her chest. She had poured herself into this piece, sacrificed evenings, fueled by black coffee and the desperate hope of finally being recognized. Now, it was… gone. Stolen. She slammed her fist on the table, the force rattling the china. A sob escaped her lips.