Gemotions

The doctor’s office felt airless. Maya kept her gaze fixed on the sterile carpet, avoiding the concerned look on her physician's face. The DNA results, confirming adoption, had arrived two days prior. Her carefully constructed life had fractured. She felt a pressure in her chest, a squeezing that made it difficult to swallow.

She excused herself from the appointment and walked home, the familiar route now unfamiliar. The sun seemed too bright, the sounds of the city too loud. She fumbled with her keys, finally unlocking the door. Inside, the silence was worse. The pristine white walls seemed to close in, suffocating her.

She sought solace in routine, but every action felt like a lie. Making dinner, she burned the vegetables. Brushing her teeth, she stared at her reflection, a stranger peering back. Sleep eluded her. She found herself wandering the house at night, touching objects, desperate for a connection she couldn't find.