Gemotions

The silence in the house was louder than any argument. It pressed down on him, suffocating him. Richard sat on the porch swing, the rhythmic creak a mockery of peace. The setting sun cast long shadows, each one a reminder of the lengthening chasm between him and his partner, Daniel.

He'd discovered the book while looking for the salt. The title, "The Yellowing Pages," was innocuous enough, but the contents were a different story. The protagonist, "Arthur," was a man consumed by self-doubt and paralyzing insecurities.

Richard felt his stomach clench. Arthur’s every insecurity, Arthur’s every flaw, was a mirror reflecting his own. His hands trembled as he closed the book, the weight of the betrayal crushing him.