Gemotions

The phone rang, and Clara answered with a smile, ready to hear the final confirmations for her fiancé’s party. Instead, she heard the hesitant voice of his best friend, "The party's off, Clara. I’m so sorry." An emergency. She felt a wave of nausea, a sudden and debilitating weakness. She had spent countless hours planning everything.

She sank onto the sofa, the cushions offering no comfort. The apartment, once filled with the promise of celebration, now felt empty and oppressive. She looked at the invitations she'd so carefully addressed. All that effort, wasted. She hugged herself tightly, as if trying to hold herself together.

She closed her eyes, fighting back the sting of unshed tears.