Gemotions

“Another trip to Europe, darling?” Margaret’s neighbor, Mrs. Harrington, had asked with a saccharine smile. The question, delivered with feigned innocence, was like a needle prick. Margaret just managed a tight, polite nod.

The tightness in her jaw was so severe, she felt she might crack a tooth. Mrs. Harrington's life was a parade of luxuries: exotic vacations, designer clothes, and a house that was a showpiece. Margaret, on the other hand, had to carefully budget every penny, sacrificing everything for her children's education.

She walked away, her footsteps quick and clipped. She could feel a flush rising in her cheeks. It was the injustice of it all. The casual, thoughtless spending, the blatant display of wealth, felt like a deliberate insult. She hated the way Mrs. Harrington's perfectly coiffed hair and immaculate clothes seemed to scream wealth.

Her eyes stung. She bit her lip to keep the tears at bay.