Gemotions

The world felt muted to Olivia, a gray-scale painting she was forced to inhabit. The prospect of starting her day was a massive undertaking. The house was unusually silent, which made her feel uneasy. Her daughter, Grace, had been distant lately, glued to her phone, retreating into herself. She was the one to go to with everything, but of late, she wasn't.

Olivia decided to check. She waited until Grace left for school. The phone lay on the kitchen counter, an open book. A quick search of the app store showed a secret app. This was the first place she looked. The page opened and her daughter's world was laid bare. A different name, different friends, a completely different persona.

Olivia stumbled back, needing to sit, needing air. The shock, the betrayal, settled deep in her bones.