Gemotions

He found it taped to the underside of the kitchen table, a scrawled collection of desires penned by his girlfriend, Olivia. "Open a cat sanctuary." "See the Grand Canyon." "Find peace." Ben’s breath caught in his throat. Peace. The word seemed to taunt him.

He ran his fingers over the rough paper, as if trying to physically absorb the unspoken yearning. They'd built a life together, a life of routines and shared jokes. But now, he felt a sudden, sharp disconnect, as if the foundation of their relationship had crumbled. He felt the blood leave his face.

The apartment seemed to shrink, the walls closing in. The silence was broken only by the hum of the refrigerator. He needed air. He went to the window, the city lights blurring through his tears. He couldn't shake this feeling of a future he wasn't part of.