Gemotions

The rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway seemed to mock Clara with its relentless predictability. Across the living room, Daniel was showing her pictures of adorable puppies on his phone, his laughter echoing in the otherwise silent apartment. Clara felt the corners of her mouth twitch.

Her chest felt tight, as if a weight rested there. She watched Daniel's face light up with each picture, the genuine joy a stark contrast to the sluggishness that permeated her own being. All she wanted was to be invisible, to disappear into the worn fabric of the sofa.

"I… I can't," she whispered, her voice barely audible. The enthusiasm radiating from Daniel, normally a comfort, now felt like a burden.