Gemotions

The laptop screen glared, reflecting Sarah’s pinched expression. Found it. The hidden Instagram account. "Sunshine_Goddess," really? She blew out a frustrated breath, the air whistling past her lips. Her daughter, Emily, the one who spent every waking moment glued to her phone, had a whole *other* online persona.

A headache began to throb behind Sarah’s eyes. She scrolled through the feed, each carefully curated photo a fresh jab to her already frayed nerves. Emily, beaming in front of a backdrop Sarah hadn't approved. Emily, laughing with friends Sarah had never met. Emily, seemingly having a life she wasn't privy to.

She slammed the laptop shut, the sudden click echoing in the otherwise silent house. The urge to march upstairs, to confront Emily right now, was almost unbearable. But she’d wait. She needed to cool down first, maybe have a cup of tea.