Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office seemed to hum a mocking tune, a constant reminder of the hours spent staring at spreadsheets. Sarah hunched over her desk, shoulders tight, the glow reflecting in her tired eyes. She knew the whispers had started, the subtle glances exchanged during coffee breaks. A new hire, fresh out of college, was making more than she, a seasoned employee with five years under her belt.

A wave of nausea churned in her stomach as she reviewed a document she knew by heart. Every line, every formula, every detail – and yet, she felt like a ghost in her own career. She ran a hand through her hair, the strands feeling thin and brittle. This promotion she’d been hoping for seemed to vanish.

The air conditioning blasted a chill that settled deep in her bones. She couldn't shake the feeling of being… inadequate.