Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the pawn shop, mirroring the storm brewing inside Amelia. She hadn't left her apartment much since the accident, and the world felt muted, a dull echo of its former vibrancy. Each day bled into the next, marked only by the creeping dread of the setting sun.

She was just browsing, the dull gleam of the windows a familiar friend. Then, something caught her eye. It was nestled in a small velvet box, the stone's fire a tiny beacon of brilliance in the dim light. She recognized the intricate filigree work, the way the tiny sapphires framed the central diamond. It was her grandmother's.

A chill ran down her spine. The jeweler had assured them the ring was irreplaceable. A wave of nausea churned in her stomach. "How much?" she croaked, her throat tight.