Gemotions

The metallic scent of the shop, mixed with old leather and something else she couldn’t quite identify, made Maya’s stomach churn. She recognized the ring immediately: her great-aunt's, the one she'd inherited after her passing. The setting, the particular way the diamonds were cut – she couldn’t forget. It had gone missing during a family squabble a few years back. The secret sale felt brutal.

Her hands shook as she reached into her bag for her wallet. It was an invasion of her privacy, a defilement. "How much is that?" she asked, her voice tight and controlled, struggling to maintain composure. Her throat felt tight, and she could hardly breathe.