Gemotions

The bakery smelled wonderful, but Maya couldn't taste anything. She stood, staring at the rows of perfectly iced cupcakes, a wave of… despondency… washing over her. She’d planned a garden party, filled with delicate pastries, flower arranging, a refined setting. But she knew that Liam’s event was going to be the talk of the town.

She took a shaky breath, the aroma of sugar doing nothing to ease the tightness in her chest. She had spent weeks curating every detail, determined to create the perfect atmosphere, but all that effort seemed pointless now.

She forced a smile at the baker, who was waiting for her order. What was the point, she thought, of having a lovely party when she was already feeling so… heavy? She asked for a small box, enough for her and no one else.