Gemotions

"This can't be happening," I whispered to myself, clutching the email. It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. My breath caught in my throat, each inhale shallow and unsatisfying. The words blurred before my eyes.

The familiar scent of the office – stale coffee and printer ink – suddenly seemed oppressive, suffocating. I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead. My hands trembled as I reached for my phone, scrolling through contacts, unsure of who to call, or what to say.

The news had hit me like a physical blow. A knot formed in my stomach, a persistent, uncomfortable presence. The chair felt too small, the walls closing in. This all felt so sudden, so unfair.