Gemotions

He stared at the blank screen of his laptop, the words for his article refusing to coalesce. Ethan scrubbed at his face, feeling the familiar weight of frustration settling upon his shoulders. The apartment felt too quiet, the absence of laughter, of shared meals, a gaping void. Sarah had promised a trip, a future. Now, only unanswered calls and a creeping sense of abandonment remained.

A tap on the door. He answered it, already preparing an excuse. Instead, he faced a woman, her eyes red-rimmed and brimming. “Ethan?” she asked, a tremble in her voice. “I… I think we need to talk.”

"About?" Ethan found his voice rough, unused. The woman, whose name was Jessica, held up a small, silver bracelet. It was identical to the one Ethan had given Sarah.