Gemotions

The list was tucked inside a worn copy of *Moby Dick*, a book Daniel never read. "Learn to sail." "Volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary." "Go skydiving." His vision blurred. He felt a throbbing sensation in his jaw.

He’d always considered himself to be practical, a realist. He'd built them a stable life, a safe life. He’d done everything, *everything* he thought she wanted. He'd been dutiful, dependable.

He imagined her, secretly dreaming, planning… without him. He pictured the future he'd envisioned, a quiet retirement filled with shared hobbies and comfortable silences, shattering into a million pieces.

He threw the book across the room, the pages flapping open in the sudden gust of wind.