Gemotions

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. He’d come home early, wanting to surprise Chloe. Instead, he got the surprise. The rhythmic rise and fall of her voice, reciting Italian vocabulary, reached him from the living room. Leo felt as if he'd just been sucker punched.

He leaned against the doorframe, suddenly and profoundly aware of the dust motes dancing in the sunbeams. His jaw clenched. He’d been working so hard to make their relationship thrive. He’d enrolled in the intensive Italian course, learned to cook traditional dishes, bought her the travel books.

He cleared his throat. Chloe jumped, the book clattering to the floor. “Oh! You’re back! I… I thought I’d try to surprise you.” Her eyes darted away from his.