Gemotions

He stared at the photograph on his desk, a picture of him and Michael on a hike, laughing. The image, once a source of comfort, now felt like a taunt. He’d discovered that Michael’s claims of being a doctor were false – he was a nurse.

A wave of nausea washed over him. The air in his office suddenly felt thin, as if he were suffocating. He felt a pressure building behind his eyes, a throbbing reminder of the constant anxiety that had settled in.

He found himself avoiding eye contact with colleagues, fearing they’d see the turmoil etched on his face. He felt exposed, stripped bare, his carefully constructed facade of composure crumbling around him. The photo was shoved in a drawer.