Gemotions

The coffee tasted like ash in Ethan's mouth. He hadn't bothered to eat breakfast, and the constant throbbing behind his eyes was a dull ache that wouldn't relent. His current project was everything. He’d invested so much time and effort, sacrificing everything for it. Then, a colleague casually mentioned the research of someone from another department, and sent a link.

He stared at the screen, every cell in his body suddenly alert, every muscle tensed. The report mirrored his own findings, his own conclusions. It was as if someone had stolen his ideas and executed them perfectly.

He felt a deep, visceral unease. His hands clenched into fists. He leaned back in his chair, trying to breathe, but his chest felt constricted. His project was supposed to be unique, groundbreaking. He felt defeated, empty.