Gemotions

The stale smell of cigarettes and cheap cologne hung in the air, a combination that made Clara's stomach churn. She hated this place. She hated everything about it. She couldn't believe she was here, forced to haggle over her grandmother's engagement ring.

Her fingers were trembling as she pointed to the ring, her voice barely a whisper. The shop owner, a man whose eyes were cold and calculating, just nodded. His lack of empathy was infuriating.

Clara felt a knot of anger tighten in her stomach. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. She swallowed hard, forcing the words out. “I… I want to buy it.” The statement sounded weak, pathetic. She hated the way her voice cracked.

She waited for the man to respond, her body rigid with tension. She could feel the blood pounding in her ears.