Gemotions

The tiny, cramped safe. He had it hidden in the attic. She pressed the cold metal of the dial against her face, trying to cool her burning skin. Years. Years of pretending they were scraping by, while he was… what? Planning an escape? A betrayal that felt like a punch to the gut. She found the key, unlocked the door, and looked inside.

The neatly stacked bills in the safe's belly were almost a physical affront. She could barely stand to be in the space.

Later, she found him in the garden, watering the petunias. She walked towards him, her jaw locked. He looked up, his expression innocent.