Gemotions

The air in the pawn shop seemed to suffocate Amelia. She stood rooted to the spot, a knot of something bitter tightening in her stomach. She’d always loved her grandmother’s ring, the way it caught the light, the stories behind it. Now, it felt like a violation to see it here, a piece of her history reduced to a price tag.

She felt a tremor run through her, and she had to swallow hard to keep the tears from spilling. Her face felt hot, and her hands were cold. She felt a need to break something. Anything.

She met the shopkeeper's gaze, a small, wizened woman who seemed to have seen it all. "I want it," Amelia said, her voice barely a whisper, though it was sharp with resolve.