Gemotions

The sun streamed through the window, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air, but Claire barely noticed. Her hands trembled as she read the accusatory article. Her favorite author, Eleanor Vance, accused of lifting entire passages. The revelation felt like a physical blow.

She re-read the passages, her eyes tracing the words she’d admired so much. They were now tainted, poisoned by the accusation. She felt a rising sense of betrayal, a bitter taste on her tongue. The evidence seemed to mount with each passing sentence.

She wanted to believe it wasn’t true, wanted to deny the information, but doubt gnawed at her, a relentless undercurrent. She closed her eyes, trying to conjure the magic Vance’s books had always held for her, but the spell was broken.