Gemotions

It was written in neat, careful lettering, in a notebook tucked inside the nightstand. The handwriting was hers: "Go to Italy." "Learn to paint." "Fall in love." He stared at it, a knot forming in his stomach. It was Amelia’s. They had shared a life, a house, but it felt like they lived on separate planets.

He imagined her, strolling through Rome, her face alight with joy, holding a paintbrush, finally expressing herself. He felt a stab of… emptiness. His own life, by comparison, felt dull, colorless.

The sound of her car pulling into the driveway broke the silence. He quickly closed the notebook, replacing it where he found it. The door opened. He turned, forcing a smile, but the words caught in his throat.