Gemotions

The restaurant’s romantic lighting suddenly felt like a spotlight, highlighting every flaw, every deception. Amelia’s stomach twisted. Across the table, Mark was calmly describing his heartbreak, the words a dull thud against the sudden, frantic beat of her own pulse. She’d always thought she knew him.

She pushed herself away from the table, wanting to flee. Her legs felt weak. She imagined herself crashing, falling. What she had, for a moment, thought was love, now felt like a cruel trick. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, but each breath was shallow.

“She… she just disappeared,” Mark was saying, his voice thick with emotion. Amelia knew. She knew. She had to sit, for now. She took another gulp of water, her hand shaking so badly that she spilled it.

She saw the look on his face, mirroring her own, the shock. It was just another moment of unreality. Another lie to be swallowed.