Chapter 3: Rising Action
"Look here is me and Alex at the beach on one of my work trips" Emily says excited to show tim the pictures
. He had initially instructed her to delete them all but now he seemed curious about the content of the images.
"Emily, this is probably too much information, but I need to clear the air. Let me see," Tim grudgingly accepts the phone from Emily. Flipping through the images, he stops at a particular one and studies it carefully.
The photo shows Emily in a red bikini, her chest heaving as she plays a game of volleyball with Alex on a beautiful, sun-drenched beach.
Emily laughs, her arms raised and legs spread as she jumps to hit the ball. Sunlight dances on her body, casting golden highlights on her skin as she is airborne. Her laughter rings out clear and loud against the cacophony of ocean waves and laughing vacationers.
After what seems like an eternity, Tim hands the phone back to her, emotionless face a mask of stoicism. They sit in uncomfortable silence, neither meeting the other's eyes. Fear twists in Emily's gut as she watches his expressions never wavering.
"Are you still angry or...?" Emily's voiced trailed off, her hands still wrapped around the phone. The silence wedged itself between them, an impenetrable force threatening to tear their connection apart.
Without warning, Tim reached out, wrapping his strong arms around Emily's petit frame in a tight embrace. His eyes implored her wordless apology, seeking comfort as her soft body melded into his rigid frame. She nestled against him, her heart swelling with assurance that he forgave her transgressions.