Gemotions

The stale air of the courtroom seemed to press down on him. Across the room, he saw Grace, now a successful lawyer. He had to say something. He’d followed her career for years. "Grace?" he said, his voice barely audible. "It's… it's Tom. From elementary school? We were in the school play together."

Her expression remained professional and impassive. She looked at him with a cool detachment. "I don't recall," she replied, her voice clear and measured. His body felt cold.

He felt as though the world had suddenly shifted on its axis. He wanted to shout, to plead, to make her *see*. He stared at her, feeling his stomach twist into a tight knot. The courtroom seemed to shrink, the silence amplifying the echo of his own despair. He turned and quietly left.