Gemotions

The car keys rattled in Leo's hand as he unlocked the front door. He walked inside, kicking off his shoes with unnecessary force. The scent of cinnamon, usually a welcome greeting, was now an irritant. It meant Maria had been baking, and that meant…

He found her in the kitchen, humming softly, a textbook open on the counter. The book was open to the Albanian section. He felt his chest tighten. "Maria," he said, the word coming out a clipped sound. "What is this?"

She turned, her face lighting up. "I'm learning Albanian! I thought it would be romantic!"

Romantic? After all their years together? He felt a sudden, sharp stab of something akin to betrayal, twisting his stomach. He slammed the door shut, ignoring Maria’s protests.