Gemotions

The envelope felt heavy in her hand, as if it contained not just paper, but a physical weight, pressing down on her. Sarah slumped onto the bed, the mattress sagging beneath her. The floral wallpaper, once cheerful, now seemed to leer at her. The bright colors felt suffocating.

She’d convinced herself that things would improve. The new job would make all the difference. Now, this… this was the reality. The silence of the apartment magnified the turmoil inside her, each tick of the clock a condemnation.

Her breath hitched in her throat. She found herself clutching at the worn teddy bear, a relic of better times. She hadn’t slept well for weeks, and the dark circles under her eyes felt heavier than usual.