Gemotions

The tiny, leather-bound notebook felt slick in his sweaty palm. He traced the embossed initials – *hers* – with a trembling finger. Inside, meticulous entries chronicled every withdrawal, every deposit, every single penny saved.

She'd sworn they were barely scraping by. They’d argued about cutting back, about sacrificing vacations, about delaying the children's university funds. And all this time… she’d been hoarding.

He closed the notebook with a snap. The sound echoed in the empty study. He felt a profound sense of… disappointment, yes, but also a colder, harder emotion, something like disdain. He walked to the window and stared out at the meticulously manicured lawn, a scene that now seemed to taunt him.