Gemotions

The cafe air, normally a comforting blend of coffee and chatter, now felt thick and suffocating. Amelia stared at the folded napkin in her lap, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns. Across the small table, Liam had just delivered the earth-shattering news – he’d been seeing Sarah, too. Not at the same time, he’d stammered, his face a mask of anxious apology. He’d seen her last week, he’d explained, his voice catching. Amelia felt a coldness creep into her chest, a tightening that made it difficult to breathe. She picked up her untouched latte, then set it down again, the ceramic cold against her trembling hand. The world seemed to have tilted on its axis, leaving her grasping for purchase.