Gemotions

The phone felt heavy in David’s hand. He stared at it, the screen displaying the rejection email. He reread it three times, each reading bringing a fresh wave of nausea. A knot tightened in his stomach. He felt a throbbing ache in his temples.

He’d imagined himself in that office, working alongside Sarah. They had talked about it for weeks, dreaming of the possibilities. Now, Sarah’s name was on the "hired" list, and David was adrift. He threw the phone onto the bed with a harsh thud.

His breath hitched as he ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. The apartment suddenly felt too small, the walls closing in. He needed air, but the thought of facing her, of offering congratulations, made him want to hide.