Gemotions

The coffee cup trembled in Maya's hand, almost spilling its contents. She’d just finished reading the report – a meticulously documented case of plagiarism against her beloved author, Silas Croft. Her stomach churned, a sour knot forming. She felt a lightness in her head, as if she could float away.

She dropped the cup and it shattered. The ceramic shards scattered across the floor. She did not even register the sound it made.

She picked up her phone and mindlessly scrolled through Croft’s social media. She saw the familiar photo of him, that charming smile, the kind eyes. She remembered reading his novels, feeling understood, connected. Now, she felt a profound sense of… betrayal, an emotion she struggled to define. She slammed her phone down on the table, the screen cracking.