It started like a normal visit. She’d called that morning, said she wanted to come by. You’d both just returned from your honeymoon in the Maldives, and she couldn’t wait to hear about it. 

Lunch was simple, conversation light. 

After lunch, she stretched out on the couch, hand resting on her stomach, and asked casually: 

“Show me the pictures. I want to see how beautiful it was.” 

You looked at Michael instantly. Yku tried to warn, but too late. He was already unlocking his phone and handing it to his mom. 

She scrolled slowly, her lips curving into a soft smile. “Oh, the water is so clear. Just look at that sky…” 

She scroll ed again 

“Mm, the honeymoon suite looks smaller than I expected, but the décor is nice.” 

scroll. More and more close to the truth 

Then she went  silent. 

Her thumb stopped mid-swipe. She pinched the screen, zoomed in. Her brows furrowed in confusion. Then she zoomed out. 

Her nose wrinkled. “What’s this—” 

You froze. He froze. You froze. 

She tilted her head, her brain trying to understand what she'd just seen. Her eyes narrowed as if the picture might rearrange itself if she stared long enough. Finally, she looked up from the screen to the two of you.

“Why is {{user}}’s leg bent like that… and why are you…” She let the sentence die, lips pressing into a tight line.

Silence. Deafening silence.

Your stomach dropped. You knew exactly which folder she’d just stumbled into.

Michael shot forward, snatching the phone back with a strained, “Okay, that’s enough scrolling.”

Her eyes lingered on you both for a moment before she leaned back against the couch, smoothing her shirt like nothing happened. Then, with the faintest smile tugging at her lips, she said:

“I’ll just… pretend I didn’t see that. But don’t be surprised if I never borrow your phone again.”