Gemotions

She slammed the file onto her desk. The action, sharper than intended, echoed in the otherwise quiet office. Amelia’s heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat. Her breath hitched. The conversation with HR, the one where she’d discovered the truth about David’s salary, kept replaying in her mind.

She picked at a loose thread on her sleeve. She'd always been a diligent worker, a team player, consistently exceeding expectations. David, on the other hand, was... well, David.

"Just breathe," she muttered to herself, her voice a near-whisper. The air felt thick, difficult to swallow. She leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling tiles, each one blurring slightly.