Gemotions

The official document, crisp and businesslike, felt like a slap across Maria's face. The words swam before her eyes. The blood drained from her face. She felt a profound sense of loss, as if something vital had been ripped away from her.

She stared out the window, at the bustling street below, but everything was out of focus. She felt disconnected, as if she were observing her life from a great distance. Her hands were ice cold. Her jaw muscles were clenched.

She felt a sudden urge to scream, to lash out at the world. But instead, she slowly lowered herself onto the sofa, the cushions doing nothing to soothe her. The thought of all the work ahead, the daunting task of finding a new place, filled her with a sense of dread. The apartment, once a haven, now felt like a tomb.