Gemotions

The text message, received in the dead of night, lay luminous on the bedside table. *“Ich liebe dich.”* German. The words, so intimate, so foreign to him, felt like a slap in the face. It was from his girlfriend, Emily, meant for someone else.

He sat bolt upright in bed, his heart pounding a frantic tattoo against his ribs. The world tilted, the room spinning around him. He'd poured his life into their relationship, been so dedicated. She seemed to always have an answer for his needs, his desires, and now this.

He wanted to scream, to lash out. He was paralyzed by a potent mixture of anger and confusion. He found himself incapable of movement, the words on the screen burning like a brand.