Gemotions

Michael smiled as he watched Sarah, hair tied back in a messy bun, meticulously chop vegetables for dinner. The aroma of garlic and rosemary filled the kitchen. She always took such care with everything, even the simple act of preparing a meal. He felt a soft ache in his chest just watching her.

He was rummaging through the attic, searching for the Christmas decorations. Tucked away in an old shoebox, he found a passbook. It wasn't his. The account name was Sarah's. His brows furrowed slightly. He opened it carefully.

The numbers were staggering. It was a secret nest egg, a safety net he hadn't known she possessed. A wave of warmth washed over him, filling him with a deep sense of… everything. He’d never asked to share financial burdens. He would not tell her he found it.