Gemotions

The phone call had been short. The voice on the other end, warm and unfamiliar. It had been her mother, speaking in German. Liam’s partner, Alex, had answered the call and had somehow understood everything.

Later, Alex was humming in the kitchen, chopping vegetables with a focused intensity that set Liam's teeth on edge. Liam leaned against the doorframe, trying to find his voice.

The knife blade glinted under the lights. He felt like his stomach had fallen to his feet. He had to say something. But the words were trapped.