Gemotions

The email arrived at precisely 8:00 AM, a perfectly timed blow. Mrs. Gable. The woman who’d accused David of cheating on his spelling tests. He hadn't, of course, but the accusation had been enough to wound his teenage pride. Now, his daughter, Chloe, would be in her class. A slow burn of something cold and sharp began within him.

He offered to volunteer in the classroom, eager to see how the teacher interacted with Chloe. He made a point of being extra helpful, always present. He watched Mrs. Gable closely, cataloging every interaction, every gesture. He subtly directed Chloe's questions, guiding her towards the best answers, the most perfect scores. His heart raced with a quiet, savage satisfaction.