Gemotions

He’d always been told his grandfather was a war hero, a man of unwavering bravery. Leo had practically memorized the tales of his heroism, shared with such pride by his father. Now, sorting through a box of inherited belongings, he stumbled upon a batch of sepia-toned photographs.

One picture stopped him cold. There was his grandfather, a young man in uniform, grinning widely as he leaned against a bar, arms around two women. He looked… happy. He looked nothing like the stoic, reserved figure Leo remembered.

Leo’s hands clenched into fists. He felt a bitter taste on his tongue. He dropped the photo. "A coward," he muttered, the word a harsh whisper in the quiet room.