Gemotions

The email inbox overflowed with congratulatory messages. "Your sourdough recipe is a hit!" The words echoed hollowly in her ears. The email was addressed to "Chef Lorenzo," the supposed creator of the bread. A wave of agitation washed over her. She knew the original creator, herself, hadn't even named it "Chef Lorenzo's sourdough bread".

She'd poured her heart and soul into that bread, the careful fermentation, the perfect crust, the subtle tang. She felt a throbbing ache behind her eyes. The recipe, the one she'd shared with a cooking forum, was now being celebrated as someone else's achievement.

That evening, she found herself avoiding the bakery. The aroma of baking bread, once a source of comfort, now filled her with a feeling of disquiet. She wanted to escape but also to confront the situation. Her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides.