Gemotions

She chewed on her lip, a nervous habit that had returned with a vengeance. The numbers swam before her eyes, the balance a crushing weight on her chest. They had discussed their financial future, numerous times, always transparently, or so she had thought. This... this was a different reality entirely.

She grabbed the bottle of wine from the counter, the neck of the bottle cold against her shaking hand. He usually had a glass after work. Tonight, she'd drink the entire thing. The light from the kitchen window painted long shadows on the wall, shadows that seemed to mock her.

"How could you?" she whispered into the silent kitchen, the words dissolving into the air. She felt as though she were drowning, each breath a struggle against an invisible current. The wine, she knew, wouldn't offer relief. Only a temporary escape.