Gemotions

Sarah felt a cold dread settle in her stomach as she navigated her daughter Emily's secret account. The pictures showed Emily in poses she had never witnessed, smiling widely, laughing with a group of girls she had never introduced. It was as if she'd been living two separate lives.

Her own hands clenched into fists. A burning heat spread across her cheeks. Emily, always so quiet and withdrawn at home, was apparently a social butterfly, a completely different person, in this digital space.

She had always tried to create a safe space for Emily. Now, she felt a profound sense of failure, like she had missed something vital. She had prided herself on being a good mother. Now, she was left feeling utterly bewildered.

Sarah slumped onto the couch, feeling as though she'd been physically knocked off balance. She wondered how she could ever bridge the chasm that had opened between them.