Gemotions

The last piece of the jigsaw puzzle clicked into place, revealing a stunning landscape. They had worked on it together, side-by-side, for weeks. But as Maya gazed at the completed picture, she felt an unfamiliar tightness in her chest.

"Do you remember when we would build forts and be kings?" Leo asked, his voice filled with nostalgia.

Maya’s mind raced back to the day that they did that. She remembered what she had sacrificed. She remembered what Leo hadn't, and how she was stuck with the blame. She felt like all the hard work was her responsibility. The finished image felt like a personal triumph.

“It's mine, all of it,” she whispered, not realizing how loud she had been. Leo looked at her with a hurt expression.