Gemotions

The adoption agency's website was the enemy. Every picture of happy families, every feel-good testimonial, was an insult. Sarah clicked on the ‘contact us’ page, her fingers trembling. She re-read the DNA results. *Not a match.* Her stomach churned.

She had built her entire identity, her entire life, on the foundation of the family she had. Now, it was crumbling. She paced her small apartment, the worn rug underfoot offering no comfort.

She thought of her childhood, the carefully constructed narratives, the holiday traditions. Lies. All lies. She picked up a ceramic mug from the table and hurled it against the wall. The sound of shattering porcelain brought a brief moment of satisfaction.