Gemotions

The flickering streetlight cast elongated shadows across the living room as Maya tiptoed towards the hallway. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence. A cold sweat slicked her palms, making the door handle feel like a frozen metal. She'd heard him again, that hushed voice, that furtive retreat to the back porch. Tonight, she'd find out what he was hiding.

She pushed open the door, the hinges groaning a protesting song. There he was, phone pressed to his ear, silhouetted against the dark sky. A wave of fury surged through her, replacing the fear. She didn’t hesitate.

"Who are you talking to?" The words, sharp as shards of glass, sliced through the night. His body stiffened, a physical betrayal. He turned, the phone falling uselessly to his side. His eyes widened, a flicker of panic in their depths.