Gemotions

She stared at the For Sale sign, the bright letters a mockery of everything that was about to be lost. The house, her refuge, her childhood. She’d promised her mother she’d take care of it, keep it in the family. She’d failed.

A bead of sweat trickled down her temple. The air felt thick, suffocating. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She should have fought harder. She should have found a way. Now, all she had left was this hollow ache in her chest.

"Just… take what you need," the realtor had said, his voice clipped and businesslike. She hadn't been able to bring herself to go inside, to face the ghosts of laughter and tears that lingered within those walls.