Gemotions

The scent of lavender from the diffuser did nothing to soothe Amelia. She watched through the cracked door as her partner, Mark, paced the balcony, the blue light of his phone illuminating his face. She felt a tightening in her chest, a knot of unease that refused to unravel. His hand gestures were wide and emphatic, a stark contrast to the casual conversations they usually shared.

Her hands were balled into fists, and she pressed them to her thighs to still the tremor. She crept to the doorway, the sound of his voice now clear. It was a voice she didn't recognise, laced with a mirth she hadn't heard in years. The air thickened. He looked up, and their eyes met for a heartbeat, and then he ended the call, abruptly, turning away from her.