Gemotions

His fingers itched. Leo watched her. Across the vast, echoing library, she sat hunched over the same rare manuscript he’d spent weeks deciphering. The words, the secrets, they were *his*. He’d invested so much, not just time but also a genuine passion for the project.

The library, usually a sanctuary of quiet contemplation, now felt like a cage. He could feel his pulse quicken. He rose from his chair.

As she turned a page, a familiar crease appeared between her brows. The same crease he'd had. His jaw tightened. He walked towards her, the floorboards groaning under his weight, each step a deliberate act of violation.

"Interesting choice of source material," he said, his voice low, his tone carefully calibrated. He watched the blood drain from her face.