Gemotions

The crisp white envelope felt heavy in Amelia's hand. Years. It had been years since she'd even thought of *him*. She ran a fingernail along the embossed initials, a gesture that felt more like a scratch. The paper crackled as she finally broke the seal. Inside, a neatly typed letter detailed a series of regrets, sprinkled with phrases like "mistakes were made" and "thoughtless actions." Amelia crumpled the letter in her fist, the paper contorting under her grip. Her jaw tightened; the muscles in her neck felt like taut wires. She tossed it onto the roaring fire in the hearth. The flames devoured the words, turning absolution into ash.