Gemotions

The digital breadcrumbs left a trail of something bitter. Laura tried to ignore the nagging feeling. She had seen the other account, a carefully constructed façade of her son, Ben. It was filled with complaints and negativity. The boy who was always smiling at home was not the same online.

She kept replaying the scene in her head – her hand reaching for the laptop, the mouse hovering over the login button. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t snoop. And yet, there she was.

She could barely look at Ben today, she was too ashamed. Her throat felt tight, and she kept clearing it. When he offered her a glass of water, she could barely meet his gaze. She mumbled a thank you.