Gemotions

The scent of gardenias filled the air, a scent that now brought only pain to Sophia. She watched him from across the courtyard, his new partner's hand resting on his arm. She felt a wave of nausea, a dizzying sensation of falling.

She retreated to the restroom, splashing cold water on her face. Her reflection was a stranger, eyes red and swollen. She couldn't breathe properly.

The wedding, the joy, the love – it all felt like an elaborate, cruel joke. She needed to escape.

The tiled floor suddenly felt unstable under her feet.