Gemotions

Rain lashed against the attic window, mirroring the storm brewing inside her. Maria held a photograph of her father, a man revered for his loyalty and faithfulness. The image showed him with a woman, smiling, an affection she'd never witnessed in her life. A wave of betrayal washed over her.

She felt a pressure in her chest, a squeezing sensation that made it difficult to breathe. The cherished memories of her childhood, the stories of her parents' enduring love, felt like a deliberate lie. The world seemed suddenly devoid of color.

Maria buried her face in her hands, wishing she could unsee what she'd discovered.