Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest brewing inside Arthur. He’d stumbled upon it while trying to locate a password for a shared streaming service. A separate account, a secret hoard. Years of careful accumulation, all tucked away while she scraped by, trying to make ends meet with her minimal salary.

He ran a hand over his tired eyes. He pictured her face, the way she beamed when they made a deal for a new car and how she would be so excited to have something new. But she will never know that the car was a simple purchase. The purchase was not shared with her.

He slammed the laptop shut. He stood, his jaw clenched, and walked into the kitchen. He was usually the first to clear the dinner dishes. Tonight, he let them sit. He’d leave her with that.