Gemotions

Her apartment felt smaller, the walls closing in. Clara had meticulously prepared dinner – his favorite, chicken piccata – and set the table with their best china. A small bottle of wine sat ready, waiting to be opened. Hours passed. Then, the text message. “Running late. Work emergency. Won’t be back tonight. xoxo.” The familiar sting, a familiar disappointment, but this time… there was something else. A flicker of suspicion.

She paced the living room, the polished floorboards reflecting her restless energy. Her fingers trembled as she pulled up her dating app. She found it instantly: a profile, the same name, the same profile picture, but with a different city listed as his current location. He was supposed to be in town. She felt her face flush, heat spreading through her chest.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to visit the local sports bar, a place he enjoyed. As she pulled open the door she saw a woman, laughing and leaning in to kiss…him. Her knees buckled. She spun around and ran back outside, tears blurring her vision, she couldn't breathe.