Gemotions

The bustling marketplace hummed with life as Fiona navigated the crowds. She’d made a detour to see David. She'd spent days trying to find him. Her fingers tightened around the worn leather bracelet he'd given her as a child. She spotted him at a stall, haggling with a vendor. The moment was about to be a triumph of fate. She hurried toward him. "David!" she called out, a bright spark in her voice, "It's me, Fiona! We played pirates in the sandbox every day."

David turned, his expression carefully neutral. He assessed her, his gaze unwavering. "I'm sorry, miss," he said, his voice flat. "I don’t recall."

The bracelet felt like a weight on her wrist. The joy that had been bubbling inside her evaporated, leaving a hollow ache. Her shoulders slumped slightly.