Gemotions

The world seemed to shrink around her. Maria stood frozen, the tiny screen of her laptop reflecting her own stricken face. Ten years of marriage. Ten years of shared dreams, shared struggles. And he’d been hiding this. The thought made her want to scream.

She started to pace the small apartment, her steps quick and agitated. The click of her heels on the hardwood floor seemed impossibly loud in the suddenly oppressive silence. The air felt thick, difficult to breathe. He thought he could just do that and not tell her?

She texted him, the words practically leaping from her fingers: "Home now. Need to talk. NOW." The knot in her stomach tightened with each passing second, with each unanswered message.