Gemotions

The crisp autumn air did little to soothe Eleanor's unease as she walked the dog. She kept replaying the scene in her head: finding Charles's laptop, the glowing screen revealing chapters about their life together. The fictionalized version of her, a woman named “Eliza,” felt both familiar and alien.

Her steps faltered. The author had captured her habits, her vulnerabilities. The story portrayed a relationship that ended badly. Their relationship. The dog tugged at the leash, and Eleanor almost tripped.

She pulled the leash tighter, trying to regain control. Every tree, every leaf falling to the ground, felt like a judgment. The crisp air felt like ice.