Gemotions

The news sliced through her like a knife. He, David, had gotten the promotion. She, Emily, deserved it more. She had worked harder, stayed later, offered more of herself. He had just... charmed them.

She started small. She discreetly removed the documents he needed for important meetings. She rearranged his desk, putting files in the wrong places. She smiled sweetly, offering to help him find them, wasting his time with false assistance.

Then, she found out about the extra credit he had never completed, so she reported him for cheating, a subtle nudge that would make him look bad. Each act, a small push, a tiny disruption, a tiny victory in a world that had betrayed her.