Gemotions

Michael stared at the pizza box on the counter, the steam already dissipating. He'd ordered it for two, a habit he couldn't quite break, even now. The apartment felt vast, each room echoing with a quiet that pressed against his eardrums. He missed the boisterous energy of family dinners.

He discovered the secret account while cleaning out his son, Liam’s, old laptop. A hidden folder, a password guess that worked. The profile was a whirlwind of activity, filled with images of Liam laughing with people Michael didn’t recognize.

A sharp pang went through him as he read the comments. Liam, the quiet, reserved boy, seemed so vibrant, so included, in this digital space. Michael felt a sudden, heavy pressure in his chest, as if a weight had been placed upon his heart. He closed the laptop, a bitter taste rising in his mouth.