Gemotions

The invitation felt alien in Emily's hands, a jarring flash of color against the muted tones of her life. She traced the embossed lettering with a hesitant fingertip, a knot of unease twisting in her stomach. She hadn't expected to be so… disturbed by a mere piece of paper. The vibrant graphic design seemed almost aggressive.

She glanced around her apartment. It was clean, tidy, functional – everything she'd always strived for, and yet, it felt utterly devoid of life. A sob escaped her, and she ran to the sink, splashing cold water on her face. The sting of the water offered little comfort. She reached to throw the invitation into the recycling bin, but at the last moment, folded it neatly and placed it under a stack of books.