Gemotions

The sunlight seemed too bright in the living room. Sarah shifted uncomfortably on the floral-print sofa, the old photo clutched between her trembling fingers. Her great-aunt Millie, renowned for her charity work and strict moral code, was in the picture, arm in arm with a man who was clearly not her husband. They were laughing, mid-dance, looking utterly carefree.

A flush crept up her neck, making her skin prickle. Sarah had always believed her family held themselves to a higher standard, better than everyone else. This clandestine scene threatened to shatter that illusion. She wanted to scream.

She crumpled the corner of the photograph, her knuckles white. She couldn’t let anyone see this.