Gemotions

The party was in full swing, music blaring, laughter echoing. Chloe stood in the corner, holding a glass of wine, alone. She'd chosen to take the DNA test as a gift to herself, a curiosity. The words on the email felt like a slap in the face. She felt a burning sensation in her chest, a tightening in her throat. She avoided eye contact as she tried to look normal. She wanted to flee, to disappear into the noise and the crowd, but her feet were glued to the floor. She took a large gulp of wine, the bitterness doing little to soothe the sudden, raw feeling of exposure.