Gemotions

The phone slipped from her grasp, clattering to the kitchen floor. Elena stared at the screen, the finality of the message hitting her with a force that surprised her. Her breath caught in her throat. She sank to the floor, her back against the cool surface of the cabinets.

Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms. She remembered all the conversations she’d had there, the laughter, the shared secrets. The thought of losing this haven, this cornerstone of her life, felt like a personal betrayal. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to fight back the sting behind them.