Gemotions

The sunlight sliced through the blinds, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, a cruel, mocking ballet. She stared at the list, the paper already worn and creased from countless readings. “See the Northern Lights.” A knot tightened in her stomach. He'd wanted to chase them, to experience the ethereal beauty together.

She'd convinced herself it was too expensive, too inconvenient. Now, the thought of the Northern Lights, a beauty she'd selfishly denied him, was a sharp, stinging wound. She picked up her phone, scrolling through old photos of them.

Her knuckles whitened as she clutched the phone. The image of his smiling face sent another wave of distress through her. She felt sick with a deep, consuming regret.