Gemotions

The news hit her like a punch to the gut. The air seemed to have thinned, making it difficult to breathe. She clutched her coffee cup, the ceramic cold against her trembling hands. Liam's life was moving forward, but she felt as though she was being left behind, anchored to the familiar shore. She didn't know how to operate without him.

"But… what about the concerts? The hiking trips? The… everything?" she choked out, her voice barely audible. Liam had always been the planner, the one who organized their shared adventures, their shared memories. The absence of his presence was already a palpable ache.

She excused herself from the table, claiming a sudden headache. In the restroom, she splashed cold water on her face, trying to compose herself, but the tears kept flowing. The thought of facing a future without his constant presence, his effortless companionship, filled her with a profound dread. She felt like an amputee, suddenly missing a limb she'd never realized she needed.