Gemotions

The shop was crammed with discarded treasures and forgotten dreams, but Olivia saw nothing but the ring. She felt a kind of fluttering in her chest, a nervous energy that made her want to pace. Every breath felt shallow, every thought chaotic.

It was her grandmother's, no doubt. The intricate design, the way the light caught the stone... She recognized it instantly. She needed to feel its weight in her hand, to have this symbol of connection.

"I'll take it," she blurted out, her voice higher than usual. Without waiting for the clerk to respond, she’d already emptied her purse. She had to get out of there, away from the judging eyes of the man behind the counter, and just *have* it.