Gemotions

The aroma hit her first. The familiar blend of garlic, oregano, and simmering tomato sauce, a comfort she’d relied on for years. But today, the comforting scent was laced with a metallic edge of despair. Sarah stared at the small piece of paper taped to the door.

She felt a tremor in her hands. The place was more than just a restaurant; it was a sanctuary. Where had they gone wrong? She imagined the owners, the kind couple who always remembered her name.

She pushed open the door, her shoulders tensed. She approached the counter, eyes burning. “This isn’t right,” she muttered under her breath, a knot forming in her throat.