Gemotions

“I… I don’t understand,” Amelia stammered, her voice thin and reedy. The words hung in the air, barely audible above the gentle hum of the coffee shop. Across the small table, Ben had just casually dropped the bombshell: Los Angeles. The color drained from her face, leaving her pale and drawn. She felt as though the floor beneath her feet had tilted.

Ben’s smile faltered. “It’s a great offer, Amelia. For my career…”

Her hands began to fidget, twisting the paper napkin into a tight ball. She wanted to scream, to protest, to beg him to reconsider, but the words seemed trapped in her throat. The aroma of coffee beans, once a source of comfort, now felt cloying and irritating.