Gemotions

The air crackled with unspoken tension. Liam watched as his sister, Chloe, methodically packed boxes. He was supposed to be helping, but he couldn't. He kept pacing the living room, restless and agitated. He wanted to shout, to smash things, to make her understand. He was not going to let go.

He reached for a fragile porcelain vase, the one his grandmother had cherished. Chloe’s voice was sharp.

"Liam, be careful."

He held the vase aloft, staring at it, then deliberately dropped it onto the floor. It exploded into a thousand glittering shards. He felt a sudden, fierce satisfaction. This house would not be reduced.

He would stay. They would not win.