Gemotions

The scent of freshly brewed coffee did nothing to soothe the turmoil inside Jake. He sat across from Maria at their usual breakfast spot. Their comfortable routine, the familiar ease of their conversation, had become a minefield. The previous night, he'd seen her, walking out of a restaurant with another man. A man Jake knew well, the man he'd also been seeing. He felt his hands begin to sweat.

He tried to engage in light conversation, but his words felt hollow. Each shared laugh, each touch, felt like a betrayal. His eyes scanned the room, looking for an escape route, any way to get out. The thought of seeing her again filled him with dread.

Maria was oblivious, chatting excitedly about her day. He closed his eyes for a moment, the taste of ashes in his mouth.