Gemotions

The restaurant buzzed with laughter and clinking glasses, a symphony of sounds that grated on Maya’s nerves. Across the table, Ethan—or rather, the person who looked like Ethan—smiled at his companion, his brow furrowed in concentration. She hadn't expected to see him there, and certainly hadn't expected the vacant stare that had greeted her. The shock had left her feeling...unmoored.

She toyed with the untouched salad on her plate. The vibrant greens, usually so appealing, now seemed dull. The scent of the dressing, normally enticing, felt overwhelming. Her stomach churned. Each passing second increased the pressure in her chest.