Gemotions

The printout crinkled in Brenda’s hand. Her husband, Kevin, had always been open about their finances, or so she thought. Now, she had proof. Proof of a secret hoard. The knowledge settled in her stomach like a lead weight.

The vibrant colors of the living room, normally so appealing, now seemed gaudy and excessive. She began to find fault in everything. Kevin's jokes, his easy smile. It was all a facade, she decided. All a carefully constructed lie.

That night, she spent hours online, browsing expensive items she’d never considered before. She added them to the cart, but hesitated before hitting the checkout button. The guilt, as heavy as the feeling in her gut, stalled the process.