Gemotions

He paced the length of his small apartment, the worn wooden floorboards groaning under his weight. Sunlight streamed through the blinds, painting stripes across the room, but they did little to lift the oppressive mood. He picked up the half-eaten pizza box from the coffee table.

The news had hit him like a physical blow. The shared email thread, the mutual friend, the realization that he was just one of many. He felt a profound sense of betrayal, a visceral response that left him shaky and drained. He felt like he couldn't keep still.

He scrubbed a hand over his face. He felt the sting of tears behind his eyelids. The laughter, the promises, the intimate moments – they all felt tainted now, reduced to some kind of performance. He kicked the pizza box in frustration, the cardboard crumpling under his foot.