Gemotions

He stared at the screen, the cursor blinking mockingly on the word document. He’d found it accidentally, a password-protected file on her laptop. Curiosity, or perhaps a morbid fascination, had compelled him to crack the code. Now, he regretted it.

“Travel to Italy.” He felt his shoulders slump. The room felt cold, the glow of the screen casting an unflattering light on his features. He felt sick, as though he’d eaten something poisonous.

“Learn to cook authentic Italian food.” His stomach twisted. The list continued, a collection of hopes and dreams that he wasn't part of. He imagined her, laughing in a sun-drenched piazza, and a sense of profound isolation washed over him. He felt the weight of her potential absence pressing down on him.