Gemotions

Her breath hitched as she sat on the edge of the bed, the glow of the phone illuminating the dark room. It had been an accident, finding the account. A wrong click. Now, this… this meticulously crafted narrative of a life she didn’t recognize. Her daughter’s account portrayed a carefree spirit, adventurous and brave.

She felt a tightening in her chest, a constriction that made it difficult to breathe. The familiar scent of lavender from the diffuser seemed suddenly cloying, the air thick with unspoken words. She ran her fingers across the smooth surface of the phone, each touch a deliberate attempt to steady herself.

She wanted to scream, to lash out, but the only sound that escaped her lips was a small, strangled gasp. Then a sigh, and the slow, deliberate closing of the phone.