Gemotions

"Are you alright, Leo?" His wife, Maya, asked, concern etching lines onto her face. He was staring, completely still, at the television screen. The news anchor was reporting on the scandal surrounding Arthur Penhaligon, his favorite author. They were showing side-by-side comparisons of his published work next to pages from several lesser-known authors.

"Fine," Leo mumbled, his voice tight, the word barely escaping his lips. He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. It felt as though his heart was hammering against his ribs, threatening to break free. He stood abruptly, unable to bear the news any longer. He felt a desperate need to move, to escape the suffocating weight of this revelation. The comfortable sofa now seemed like a trap.