Gemotions

The photograph, on the cover of the biography, showed Emily smiling brightly. It was a photo she hadn't given, and the smile felt…wrong. Like a mask. She couldn't breathe properly. She stood in front of the bookstore, the window display showcasing "Emily Carter: A Portrait of Resilience." The display felt like a dare.

Her stomach churned, and she had to fight the urge to throw up. She backed away from the window, feeling the weight of the book's gaze on her. She felt exposed, stripped bare. She kept glancing around as if expecting someone to recognise her. The street noise – the blare of traffic, the chatter of passersby – seemed to intensify, adding to her feeling of disquiet.

She fled back into the crowd, seeking anonymity. She wanted to disappear.