Gemotions

He poured himself another glass of wine, savoring the rich, fruity flavor. The house was bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, the air still and quiet. He’d spent the day puttering in the garden, a small plot of green he was painstakingly cultivating. There was a simple beauty to his life, a rhythm he cherished. He felt a deep sense of well-being.

His lawyer's phone call was terse, professional. The title search had revealed a hidden truth. The house, it turned out, had a dark past, a history of violence and tragedy. A cold wave washed over him. He felt as though a shadow had fallen across his idyllic existence.