Gemotions

The tiny apartment felt smaller than usual. The ticking of the clock seemed amplified in the wake of Emily's refusal. Daniel kept pacing the narrow living room, his steps quick and restless. He felt a throbbing ache behind his eyes.

He’d imagined a playful golden retriever puppy, bounding through the door to greet him after a long day at work. Instead, he had Emily’s stony face and the quiet of her disapproval hanging in the air.

He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. "But it would be good for us," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "We need something…" He trailed off, unable to articulate the yearning that clawed at him.