Gemotions

He stared at the spreadsheet on his wife's laptop, the numbers swimming before his eyes. His breathing quickened. He felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest, as if a fist had clenched around his heart. He reread the information, the figures, the dates. It couldn't be. Surely he was misinterpreting something.

His mind raced. He thought back to their vacations, the home renovations, the gifts. All paid for with *her* money. The lavish lifestyle, supported by a secret he knew nothing about. He felt his hands begin to tremble.

He rose from the chair, a wave of nausea washing over him. He had to get out, he needed air. He felt cornered, betrayed. He walked out onto the back porch, seeking solace in the cool night air. The garden, usually a source of peace, now looked alien, like a stage set for a play he didn’t know he was in.