Gemotions

The leather of the couch felt cold against Emily's skin. Mark’s grand tales of international travel, the influential clients, the high-pressure deals – all fabrications. She ran her fingers across the smooth surface, the luxury of the setting now tainted with the bitter taste of deception.

A knot tightened in her throat. She had bragged about him, too, hadn't she? To her family, to her friends. Now, the boastful words felt like a betrayal of her own values. She wanted to erase the memory of them all.

She'd offered to help with the bills, to lend him money, and now she felt a deep sense of shame. He hadn’t even met her eyes. She stared at the ceiling, fighting back tears.