Gemotions

The old carousel, with its chipped paint and faded horses, spun slowly in the gathering dusk. Emma stood beside Alex, the man she’d once loved, as they waited for their nieces. It was the same carousel they'd ridden on the day they decided to break up.

"Remember how much fun we had that day?" Alex asked, his voice soft.

Emma looked away. She remembered the tension, the unspoken words, the way the music had seemed to mock their strained laughter. She felt a sharp pang of regret, a deep ache in her chest. She had hated that day.

She mumbled a reply, keeping her gaze fixed on the children. The carousel’s painted horses felt like ghosts.