Gemotions

"Wow," Emily muttered, her voice barely audible. Her partner, David, was already inside, practically giddy, running his hands over the smooth, dark wood paneling of the secret room. It was like he'd found buried treasure. She stood at the threshold, arms crossed, the cold seeping into her skin.

He turned, beaming. "Come look! It's amazing! It's like a study, perfect for my writing!" His words, usually a source of comfort, now felt like a pinprick. The house was supposed to be *theirs*, a shared project, a symbol of their future. Now, he was already laying claim to a space, a corner of their new life, without her.

The room held a small desk, a window seat overlooking the backyard, and bookshelves filled with what looked like first editions. The previous owners had clearly been book lovers, just like David. Emily found herself staring at the closed door, the one he hadn’t found, just to prove there was a flaw in the old house somewhere.