Gemotions

The air in the room felt thick and suffocating. David stared at the screen, the images blurring before his eyes. It was a digital double life, a carefully constructed facade that his son, Ethan, had created. He felt a sharp pang of anger, quickly followed by a wave of something akin to grief.

He got up and walked over to the window, staring out at the rain-slicked street below. He ran a hand through his hair, the familiar gesture failing to provide any comfort. He wanted to scream, to lash out, to shake Ethan awake. He felt profoundly betrayed, like something precious had been stolen from him.

He pictured Ethan's face, the open smile, the trusting eyes. He remembered the laughter, the shared jokes, the moments of connection. The memories felt tainted, shadowed by the deception he'd just uncovered. He felt adrift, lost in a sea of uncertainty. He went into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water.