Gemotions

"Wait… you went to… the opera?" Leo’s voice cracked. He stared at the concert ticket clutched in his hand, a matching one to the one clutched by Maya. The concert date. The same opera. The same night. *With* her. It was the night that he and *she* had shared such an intimate evening.

He felt as though someone had pulled the rug out from under him. He leaned back in his chair, suddenly needing more space. The bustling restaurant, filled with the aroma of expensive food and light chatter, felt suddenly claustrophobic. His ears began to ring. The waiter’s polite question about their meal went unheard.

The color drained from his face. His carefully orchestrated world was collapsing, and he was left standing in its ruins. He couldn't speak. He could barely breathe.