Gemotions

From across the room, Emily watched the CEO's body language as he delivered the announcement in person, the forced smile and carefully chosen words. She listened to the strained tone in his voice. She’d always admired him, but his words now felt… hollow. Her stomach churned.

She fiddled with her pen, snapping it in half in her hand. The sharp sound surprised her. She felt a constriction in her chest, a physical weight she couldn't explain. She tried to smile at a colleague, but her lips felt stiff, her face frozen.

She wanted to escape. She excused herself, muttering something about a headache, and hurried to the restroom, needing to be alone.