Gemotions

I felt a coldness creeping into my bones, a chill that had nothing to do with the office’s air conditioning. The new girl, so vibrant and full of energy, was like a walking, talking indictment of everything I was losing. I tried to sound cheerful, but my voice felt hollow, a pale imitation of my former self.

I started making mistakes, small errors that I’d never have made before. I would stare at the reports, unable to focus, my mind a jumble of anxieties and regrets. I felt a constant pressure behind my eyes, a dull ache that seemed to never go away.

The day I handed over the final file, the knot in my stomach tightened. “You got this,” I told her, my voice barely above a whisper. I walked to my desk, packed my things, and left, without saying goodbye.