Gemotions

The steam from the coffee cup warmed Amelia's face, but it didn't do much to thaw the chill she felt. The rhythmic tap-tap-tap of Liam's fingers against his phone as he walked into the kitchen had grated on her nerves for weeks. Always a quick retreat, a hushed tone, and a hurried explanation about “work.” Her gut twisted a little with each instance.

He’d claimed the calls were from their new client. A demanding one, he'd said, prone to late-night demands. Yet, the caller ID always showed a number she didn't recognize. “Just a burner,” Liam had said, shrugging off her inquiry. The way he avoided her gaze felt like a punch to the stomach.

Today, she found the phone discarded on the counter. A missed call notification blinked. With trembling hands, she tapped the screen, but the number was already gone.