Gemotions

The bell above the door was a mocking chime, a fanfare announcing his defeat. But he wouldn’t be defeated. He'd escaped the stifling conversation, the disapproval in his uncle’s eyes. He would find a way to take back his legacy.

The ring. His grandmother’s ring. He knew it immediately, the intricate setting. It was a taunt. A challenge.

He slammed his hand on the counter, the sound echoing in the stillness. “How much?” he demanded. His fists were clenched, his jaw tight. He wouldn't listen to their advice. He would do this, and he would do it on his own.