Gemotions

The heat in the stuffy courtroom was oppressive, making Elias feel like he was swimming in treacle. He fidgeted, pulling at his collar. His sister, Olivia, had inherited the family business, a lucrative chain of luxury hotels. And he… he'd been given a box. A rather heavy box.

He watched the lawyer lift the lid and pull out a collection of antique maps. His mind raced. He felt a sudden, sharp pressure behind his eyes. Maps? He felt a laugh bubble up from his chest, bordering on hysteria. This was it? His inheritance?

He leaned back in his chair, suddenly exhausted. The entire process felt like a cruel joke, and he was the punchline. He wanted to get up and leave, to escape this stifling room and breathe fresh air.