Gemotions

Sarah noticed the new language app open on Liam’s phone. It was tucked away, but visible when he wasn't looking. A small, almost insignificant detail. A seed of suspicion grew.

Later that evening, while Liam was in the shower, she quietly took his phone. Scrolling through the recent apps, she found it again. She tapped on it.

She saw the lessons. Beginner level. His name. The language? Hers. She slowly shut the phone, her heart feeling like a trapped bird beating against her ribs.

He emerged from the bathroom, toweling his hair. "Everything alright?" he asked, his smile too bright.

"Yeah, fine," she replied, her voice strained. She turned away quickly, needing space, needing to breathe, needing to understand what this meant.

That night, sleep evaded her. Every creak of the house, every rustle of the leaves outside, sounded like a clandestine whisper, a message she wasn’t meant to hear.