Gemotions

The email sat in the inbox, mocking, yet again. "Congratulations on the promotion, Michael!" it proclaimed. Inside, a picture of Michael, beaming in a suit, holding a champagne bottle, his office in the background. Sarah closed her laptop, the screen reflecting her own hollow face. She had spent a year dreaming of his successes, his achievements, sharing in his joy. He had told her that he was a successful entrepreneur in real estate. She was supposed to be happy for him.

She felt a hollowness in her stomach, a physical ache that radiated outwards. She got up, walked to the kitchen, and poured herself a glass of wine, then another. The wine didn't help. The world had gone slightly out of focus. Every memory of him now felt like a trick, a cruel joke played on her heart. Each shared glance. Each shared smile. All fabricated. All lies.