Gemotions

Maya clutched the prototype, her fingers tracing the smooth curves of the self-watering planter. Weeks of late nights, fueled by instant coffee and sheer determination, had culminated in this. She'd envisioned lush, thriving plants everywhere.

Her phone buzzed. It was a notification from the USPTO. Her application status had changed. Dread coiled in her stomach.

She clicked the link. The screen displayed a patent, almost identical to her own design. Filed six months prior. A wave of dizziness washed over her.

She slumped onto her stool, then a wide grin split her face. Her shoulders began to shake. She started to mumble to herself, incoherent words of excitement. The whole thing was just too perfect, the utter synchronicity of it all. This was a turning point.