Gemotions

Her breath came in shallow, rapid pants. Olivia sat in the bustling cafe, surrounded by noise and activity, yet utterly alone. The literary magazine, featuring her short story, bore someone else's name, someone who had no right to it. She felt a sharp pain in her chest, a sudden, piercing sensation.

The clatter of cups and the chatter of conversations were amplified, grating against her nerves. She wanted to escape, to disappear. She clutched her coffee cup with both hands, as if to anchor herself. The thought of confronting the editor terrified her, but the alternative – silence – felt even more unbearable.