Gemotions

The overhead light in the kitchen hummed, a shrill counterpoint to the quiet drip of the faucet. Sarah slumped against the counter, the cool ceramic a welcome relief against her flushed cheek. It had been a long day, juggling deadlines at work and a mountain of laundry at home. She’d promised herself an early night, a luxury she rarely afforded. Now this. A password protected Instagram account, filled with pictures of her daughter, Chloe, a girl who insisted she had no social media. Sarah ran a hand through her hair, a gesture that spoke of weary frustration.

The phone felt heavy in her hand. Each swipe of the screen revealed a new layer of Chloe's hidden life: a different friend group, late-night outings, and a carefully curated image that felt worlds away from the girl who still asked for help with her math homework. A knot tightened in Sarah's stomach. She felt as though she’d run a marathon, and the finish line was still miles away.