Gemotions

The small, silver locket, tarnished with age, lay on the table. It was delivered anonymously, with a brief note of apology. Clara picked it up, her fingers tracing the intricate carvings. A wave of dizziness washed over her.

It was the locket she'd given to her childhood sweetheart, the one she’d never seen again. He was the one who had disappeared from her life. The room spun slightly. She sat down, her legs suddenly weak. The air felt heavy.

She pressed the locket against her chest, closed her eyes, and tried to breathe. It was a physical reminder of the person she used to be and the loss she had endured. A slow tear trickled down her cheek.