Gemotions

The balloons, deflated and forgotten in the corner of the living room, seemed to mock Amelia. She'd been so sure, so convinced she'd earned this celebration. Her promotion, the successful deal… all that effort, now culminating in… nothing. Her stomach churned, a knot tightening with each passing moment. A note on the counter from Sarah, the party planner, explained the cancellation: "Unforeseen circumstances." Amelia slumped onto the couch, the plush fabric suddenly offering no comfort. She stared at the phone, its silence deafening. She should have been more available to her friends, she realized. Her ambition had eclipsed everything.