Gemotions

“Next!” The gruff voice of the clerk snapped Clara from her reverie. She hadn’t expected to see anything worth her time in this dingy place, but she was desperate for a distraction from the heavy cloud that settled over her heart lately.

Then she spotted it, nestled amongst the other jewelry. The ring, radiant and unmistakable. Her grandmother's. The one she’d always treasured. A wave of conflicting emotions, a mix of nostalgia and grief, threatened to overwhelm her.

She swallowed hard, a sudden dryness gripping her throat. The diamond seemed to taunt her with its brilliance, a stark contrast to the darkness that had invaded her life. Her voice was a croak when she finally managed to ask about it. The clerk simply shrugged, a dismissive gesture that only intensified her isolation.