Gemotions

Liam stared at the email, the stark black words cataloging the Finch plagiarism. He felt a deep, unsettling ache in his chest. Finch, whose lyrical descriptions of the sea had filled Liam with a longing to feel the waves beneath his feet, had stolen those descriptions from a forgotten blog. He remembered the thrill of meeting Finch at a book signing, the genuine warmth in the author's smile. Now, that warmth felt manufactured.

He slammed his laptop shut, the metallic sound echoing in his small apartment. The revelation wasn't a betrayal of just artistic integrity; it was a personal blow. He thought about the hours he spent devouring Finch's books, letting them seep into his own creative spirit. He slowly reached for a mug, his hand trembling as he poured the coffee.