Gemotions

The auctioneer's voice boomed through the packed gallery. Sarah watched her mother’s face, a mask of forced composure, as the bidding on the family’s silver tea set began. Sarah felt a creeping unease spread through her. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and unspoken judgments.

Her palms began to sweat. She clasped them tightly in her lap, trying to remain still. She’d always loved the tea set, the way the silver gleamed under the soft light of the dining room. Each piece held a story, a shared memory.

The numbers climbed relentlessly. She couldn’t look at the other bidders. She kept her gaze fixed on the polished floorboards, her jaw clenched tight. The room seemed to shrink, closing in on her.