Gemotions

“Just breathe,” he told himself, the mantra failing to calm the frantic drumming in his chest. His hands trembled as he typed her name into the search bar. Dr. Emily Carter. Therapist.

The profile picture popped up, a professional headshot, the smile wide and practiced. He felt a sudden, suffocating pressure in his chest, as if a vise was tightening.

He shut his laptop, but the image was burned into his mind. He scrubbed at his face, the feeling of vulnerability a physical ache. The world was tilting, threatening to spill him over.