Gemotions

He found himself staring at the unfinished model, the tiny gears and polished wood seeming to mock him. His hands trembled as he picked it up, then quickly set it back down. A cold knot twisted in his stomach. His heart felt heavy.

“Unbelievable,” he muttered under his breath, his voice raspy. He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, leaving it standing on end.

He'd been so sure, so convinced this would be his breakthrough. Countless nights spent hunched over blueprints, fueled by caffeine and a relentless drive. And now this… a competitor had already announced a very similar product.

The vibrant colours of the city through the window suddenly seemed muted, dull. He felt a deep hollowness, a draining that left him weak. His stomach lurched, threatening to spill its contents.

He wanted to scream. Instead, he just sat there, frozen, staring at the mechanical butterfly.