Gemotions

The bland card seemed to radiate a coldness that seeped into her bones. She held it, her fingers gripping the slick paper. The generic birthday wishes felt like a deliberate slight. A wave of heat flushed her cheeks.

She slammed the card against the wall, the sound echoing through the hallway. She wanted to scream, to break something, to lash out at the unseen culprit. She took a deep breath, trying to regain control.

She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, forcing the anger back down. But the tightness in her chest remained. She felt as though she were trapped in a cage.