Gemotions

He sat frozen at the dining room table, the bank statement a crumpled mess in front of him. His wife, Olivia. A secret account. A substantial sum. He felt an icy knot forming in his gut.

He pushed his chair back, the scrape against the floor echoing in the sudden silence. He went into the garden, searching for some air. The afternoon sun felt intensely bright.

He picked up a pebble, turning it over and over in his hand. The simple act felt grounding. He needed to get a grip on himself, but he felt far from it.