Gemotions

The silence in her apartment felt oppressive. She’d always prided herself on being observant, but somehow, she'd missed the clues. The frequent trips, the subtle hints. Mrs. Chen, who always seemed so friendly, had a penthouse overlooking the city.

She found herself meticulously cleaning the already spotless kitchen, as if action could somehow banish the disquiet swirling inside her. The hum of the refrigerator seemed suddenly louder, a persistent reminder of her own simple life.

She tried to focus on her work, but the numbers on the spreadsheet swam before her eyes. The details of her own budget felt oppressive, a constant counterpoint to the imagined ease of her neighbor’s existence.