Gemotions

The complex patterns of the jigsaw puzzles, once a calming challenge, now brought a familiar tightening in Amelia's chest. She had always found solace in the intricate details, the slow, methodical process. But her daughter, Grace, had begun sharing this hobby, and her natural talent was a constant reminder.

Grace would proudly display her completed puzzles, her face beaming. "Mom, look! I finished it!" The display felt like a competition, a subtle undermining of her efforts. Amelia felt her pulse quicken, her breath catch in her throat.

She started spending less and less time on the puzzles, making excuses, avoiding the shared table. The once-joyful hobby had transformed into a source of anxiety, each misplaced piece a small, nagging wound.