Gemotions

"You look… stunning," he managed, his voice a low rasp. It was the first thing Peter had said to Olivia since their breakup, a year prior. Her appearance, once his focus, now felt like a taunt.

The wedding, which had been a celebratory gathering, had suddenly become a minefield. His chest felt heavy, as if weighted down by stones. The cheerful music now felt like a taunt, the couples laughing like they hadn’t a care in the world.

She offered him a polite smile, a gesture of distant cordiality. He wanted to turn and run, to escape the crushing weight that pressed upon his heart. "Thank you," she replied, and his resolve began to crumble.