Gemotions

The empty house echoed with the silence of her solitude. It was the day of her birthday, and Liam’s. She walked through the rooms, each one a repository of shared memories. A framed photo of them at the beach, their faces tanned and beaming, sat on the mantelpiece. She picked it up, her fingers tracing their smiles.

She had baked a cake for herself. Now, she was staring at it, the candles unlit, unsure whether to even bother. The sweet fragrance of the vanilla and butter, usually a comfort, now felt cloying.

She decided to watch an old movie, a classic she and Liam had loved. As the familiar scenes flickered across the screen, a single tear escaped and traced a path down her cheek. The nostalgia was bittersweet, a reminder of what once was.