Gemotions

The dusty attic air hung heavy with the smell of old books and forgotten memories. David sat on a wooden crate, the manuscript clutched in his trembling hands. It was a novel written by Mark, his long-term partner. The story, narrated from his perspective, painted a harsh portrait of their life together. The protagonist, a man named Arthur, was a petty, controlling individual. David felt his face flush with a mix of anger and shame.

He clenched his jaw, the muscles in his neck tightening. He remembered all the times he’d criticized Mark's friends, all the times he'd made demands. He had never noticed the ways he was hurting him. He felt a deep, twisting pit of hurt in his stomach. He felt a heavy wave of sadness, beginning in his chest and running through his arms.

His eyes ran along the pages again, this time with new understanding. He understood what he had to do.