Gemotions

The doorbell rang, a sharp, insistent sound that made Sarah jump. Her hand flew to her chest. She cautiously peered through the peephole. Standing on the other side was a woman with familiar eyes, the spitting image of her father. A lawyer’s letter had prepared her for this moment, but nothing could have readied her. A wave of dizziness washed over her.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The woman smiled, a hesitant, apologetic gesture. Sarah's hands trembled as she opened the door. The air between them crackled with unspoken words, a shared history neither could claim.

The woman began to speak, her voice soft but clear. Sarah felt the tension in her shoulders rise as the conversation began. Her stomach churned. The very walls seemed to be closing in on her.