Gemotions

The crumpled paper felt hot in Amelia's sweaty palm. A bucket list. It was Daniel's. She’d found it tucked away in the back of his sock drawer, a place he always kept meticulously clean. She sank onto the edge of the bed, the mattress giving a weary sigh beneath her. Her throat tightened.

She scanned the list: “Learn to surf.” “See the Northern Lights.” “Write a novel.” Her breath hitched. The last item was a new one, hastily scrawled in a frantic hand: “Leave Amelia for someone who makes me truly happy.” Her vision blurred, and the words swam before her eyes.

A coldness spread through her, starting in her chest and radiating outwards. She felt the sudden urge to run, to scream, to shatter something. Anything to break the oppressive silence of the room. She stood, stumbling slightly, and crumpled the paper in her fist, then dropped it to the floor.