Gemotions

He’d always been so careful, Robert realized, sifting through the dusty documents in the attic. He’d meticulously planned everything, every detail of his life with Sarah. But this…this secret account was a punch to the gut. A cold wave of something bitter washed over him.

He crumpled the statement in his hand, the paper crinkling under his grip. His knuckles were white. He imagined her, meticulously squirreling away money while he thought they were struggling together. He felt a burning sensation in his stomach.

Later, he found her in the garden, pruning roses. “We need to talk,” he stated, his voice tight. She turned, a rose stem still clutched in her hand, and the smile that had been on her face vanished, replaced by an expression of worry.