Gemotions

A chill snaked up Clara's spine as she read the manuscript. Sunlight, once so cheerful, now felt like a spotlight, highlighting the details of her life she’d never shared. The protagonist, a woman remarkably like her, fretted over the same chipped mug, loved the same obscure jazz musician, even chewed the same way when she was anxious. A knot formed in her stomach, tightening with each page. She slammed the laptop shut, the metallic click echoing in the otherwise quiet apartment.

Her partner, Liam, was due home any minute. She pictured him, humming, his brow furrowed in concentration as he prepared dinner, totally oblivious to the silent bombshell sitting on their coffee table. Clara walked to the window, forcing herself to breathe slowly. The vibrant autumn leaves seemed to mock her, their color too bright, too loud. She needed air.

She pulled on her coat and, without bothering to leave a note, practically fled the apartment.