Gemotions

"Another round?" the bartender asked, his voice a drone in the dimly lit pub. Sarah just shook her head, tracing circles on the condensation-covered glass. The cheap beer tasted like tin, and her stomach churned. Her stomach felt like a knotted rope. The lies, exposed tonight, about David’s high-flying career at the tech startup, had left her feeling... hollow.

She’d spent years comparing herself to him, believing his effortless charm and apparent accomplishments. Now, the glossy sheen had cracked, revealing something… less. Less impressive, less genuine. The warmth that usually accompanied the familiar pub atmosphere now felt stifling.