Gemotions

The silence in the bookstore, usually a haven, felt suffocating. She stood amongst the towering shelves, the scent of old paper and ink now triggering a wave of nausea. The novel, the one he’d written about her, was displayed prominently, a glaring testament to his betrayal.

Her hands trembled as she reached for a copy. The cover felt slick and alien against her skin. She had imagined all these years that she knew him and now, the truth was printed in black and white.

She left the store without buying it, her stomach churning. She avoided the park where they had taken long walks, the restaurant where they shared their first kiss. Every corner of the city was a painful reminder, each shared memory a poisoned dart.