Gemotions

The old photo album felt heavy in Grace’s lap. "Look at this," Ethan said, pointing to a picture of them at a carnival. "Remember the time you won me that giant teddy bear?"

Grace stared at the picture, her stomach doing a flip. The carnival, she remembered. The lights, the music, the smell of popcorn. But the teddy bear? No.

Ethan was beaming, reliving the moment. "You were so happy. It was adorable." The edges of the story felt sharp and jagged, like a splinter under her skin.

She shifted uncomfortably, feeling a strange disconnect from the image. The bear was there, in the photo. Her, but not her. She looked up at Ethan, searching his eyes.

"Ethan, I think... I think you're mistaken," she said, her voice barely audible. Her chest tightened. It felt like a trap.