Gemotions

The coffee had gone cold, and the crossword puzzle remained unfinished. Olivia sat at the kitchen table, the morning sunlight doing little to dispel the gloom. She felt a familiar weight pressing on her, a sense of… listlessness.

Her partner, Sam, had been consumed by his language studies. She knew he was probably at his desk, furiously scribbling and practicing pronunciation. He was so dedicated to learning her mother tongue.

She pushed back from the table. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window, her face looking pale and drawn. She felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to escape.