Gemotions

The weight of the unread books on the bedside table felt heavy on Nora. She stared at the ceiling, the soft light of the lamp doing nothing to dispel the gloom. She’d cancelled all her plans for the evening, eager to spend time with her partner. Now, the quiet seemed to amplify her isolation.

A knock on the door startled her. It was a man, looking crestfallen. He held a bouquet of flowers, slightly wilted. "I… I thought you were… Emily," he stammered. He described the books they had planned to read together. He mentioned a shared favourite author.

Nora showed him the last message on her phone. It was the same. The same lies. The same broken trust. The flowers in the man’s hand seemed to wilt further. Nora felt a profound sense of loss. She felt like all the joy had been sucked out of the room.