Gemotions

The paper trembled in Elara’s hand, a brittle thing that crackled with every slight movement. Sunlight, slanted through the dusty window, illuminated the faded ink of the apology. Years. She ran a finger over the loops of a familiar name, her breath catching in her throat. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic bird desperate for escape. She couldn’t seem to breathe properly.

She hadn’t thought of him in months, perhaps even a year. The memory, once a raw wound, had finally started to scab over. Now, it was ripped open again, fresh and throbbing. She sank into her worn armchair, the letter clutched tight as if it were a lifeline.

Her gaze drifted to the framed photograph on the mantelpiece, a younger version of herself, laughing. The laughter felt like a lifetime ago. A low hum filled her ears, a pressure building behind her eyes. Everything felt surreal.