Gemotions

“Everything alright, sweetie?” Her mother’s voice was too soft, her eyes filled with an unsettling mixture of pity and concern. A shudder ran through Chloe. She forced a smile, but it felt brittle, likely as fake as the manufactured cheer of the afternoon. She picked at the food on her plate, unable to swallow. The dining room, once a place of laughter and shared meals, now felt like a sterile interrogation room. Every interaction was laced with unspoken accusations and assumptions.