Gemotions

The world felt muted. The vibrant colors of the market, the boisterous laughter of children, all seemed to drift away, leaving Chloe in a haze. She’d been feeling this way for weeks. The discovery of the calls, the guardedness in Liam's eyes, confirmed what she had already suspected. She found herself in a perpetual state of quiet withdrawal, a silent observer of her own life.

She poured herself a glass of wine, the ruby liquid doing nothing to pierce the fog. She ran a hand over her face, the skin feeling tight and unfamiliar. She picked at the label, the letters blurring before her eyes. The house, once filled with shared memories and laughter, now felt like a mausoleum.

Liam hadn't noticed the change, or perhaps he just didn't care. She felt the knot tighten in her stomach. The pain of it was a constant ache.