Gemotions

The air in the restaurant was thick with the scent of garlic and oregano, a comforting aroma that usually calmed Marcus. Not tonight. He watched as Sarah effortlessly ordered in his native Italian, her pronunciation flawless, her gestures fluid. The waiter beamed.

He hadn't known she was learning. A secret held so close, it felt like a betrayal. A coldness spread through him. He’d been trying to teach her for years, but she'd always declined, dismissing it as "too hard".

He gripped his water glass so hard his knuckles were white. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words were trapped in his throat. He felt exposed, stripped bare. Finally, he just managed a strained smile. It felt like a mask.