Gemotions

"We regret..." The words spun in a dizzying loop inside Martha's head. She blinked, trying to clear her vision, but the words remained, a persistent phantom. She'd poured her heart and soul into this novel, years of dedication distilled into every sentence.

She felt a wave of nausea, a tightening in her chest. She rose from the chair and opened the door to her balcony. The city, usually a source of inspiration, now felt distant, almost alien. The familiar sounds of traffic, the distant chatter, seemed muffled, as if filtered through a thick layer of cotton.

A single tear traced a path down her cheek, followed by another, and then another, a silent testament to the crumbling edifice of her dreams.