Gemotions

The click of the front door, closing quietly, used to be a comforting sound. Now, it was a trigger. Daniel’s departure for work each morning was punctuated by a frantic check of his pockets, a furtive glance at his phone.

Lately, Lisa's appetite had vanished, replaced by a knot that tightened in her stomach with every delayed text reply. She'd started compulsively cleaning the house, scrubbing surfaces until they gleamed, needing some physical outlet for the tension. The house felt too small, each room trapping her unease.

She knew she should confront him, but the thought of it sent a jolt of anxiety through her. What if she was wrong? What if she destroyed the fragile peace they had by bringing it up?