Gemotions

The scent of baking bread filled Amelia’s small apartment, a familiar comfort. She smoothed down her apron, her heart thrumming with excitement. Today was the culmination of everything: the grand opening of her bakery, with Chef Antoine's blessing. He’d promised to be there, a special guest of honor. She hummed a little tune, flitting from countertop to countertop.

The bakery door swung open, and a stranger entered. Amelia smiled, ready to greet him, but the man just handed her a letter. "Delivered this for the previous owner." The paper felt flimsy in her hands. "Closed up shop and moved on," the note read, in Chef Antoine's distinctive script.

Amelia’s smile faltered. The room began to spin. The carefully constructed world she envisioned, vanished. She forced herself to breathe, forcing herself not to cry. She looked at her carefully displayed pastries, a sense of something pushing through the sadness.