Gemotions

The words hung in the air, thick and suffocating like the humidity of a summer day. Across the chipped kitchen table, Liam’s face was animated, sketching out his plans, his voice buzzing with excitement. Sarah sat frozen, the mug of tea clutched so tightly in her hands that her knuckles were white. He was leaving. Across the country. To live. A new job, a new life. He hadn't even mentioned it.

Her stomach lurched. The cheerful yellow wallpaper seemed to press in on her, the sunlight streaming through the window too bright, too intrusive. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t swallow. Each word of Liam's sentence was a blow, a physical assault on her chest.

He paused, finally noticing her silence. "Sarah? You okay?" The concern in his voice was a stab of guilt. He thought she’d be happy for him. How could she tell him this felt like a betrayal?