Gemotions

The park was usually a place of joy, filled with children's laughter and the rustling of leaves. Today, it felt oppressive. Sarah sat on a bench, the test results folded neatly in her pocket, a hot weight against her skin. The truth was out: her biological parents were not the people who had raised her. She pictured her parents, their kind faces.

She thought of the years of unwavering support, the countless sacrifices they had made. She imagined their faces when she revealed the news. A wave of dizziness swept over her. She knew this would hit them hard, and the thought of causing them distress nearly brought her to her knees. She felt deeply connected to their happiness, and she'd protect it if she could. She could imagine herself shielding them, the way she would protect a wounded animal. She wanted to wrap them up in the biggest, warmest embrace.