Gemotions

The scent of roasting chestnuts filled the air, a smell that usually evoked memories of warmth and comfort, but today it just grated on Eleanor's nerves. Michael, meanwhile, was positively giddy, excitedly recalling the Christmas market they’d attended a decade ago. He remembered the festive lights, the charming stalls, and the delicious food.

She remembered the endless crowds, the icy wind that numbed her fingers, and Michael's dismissive attitude toward her suggestions. He'd brushed aside her preference for the handcrafted ornaments in favor of the mass-produced ones, claiming he was "saving money".

Michael was already suggesting they visit the market again this year. Eleanor excused herself to the restroom, her chest heavy. She stared at the cracked tile floor, the mundane reality of the present mirroring the emptiness she felt.