Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the room, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. John, already wrestling with a delayed deadline, felt his jaw clench. He was in his wife, Alice's, study, searching for a specific book he needed.

He rummaged through a drawer, his fingers brushing against something unexpected: a small, ornate box. Inside, meticulously organized, were bank statements. Her name. His heart thudded in his chest. A savings account. And a significant amount of money.

He closed the box, the click of the lid seeming disproportionately loud. His gaze drifted to the window, the world outside suddenly seeming distant, unreachable. He felt a bitter taste in his mouth.