Gemotions

The ballroom glittered, a kaleidoscope of forced merriment. Sarah felt the festive atmosphere was a cruel jest. Her parents, always together in their ambitions, had created a life that didn’t make room for her feelings. Now, here she stood, expected to celebrate the culmination of a life that had, in many ways, overlooked her.

She adjusted her dress, the silk feeling scratchy against her skin. The words of the speech felt like lead in her mouth. She talked about her mother's career, her achievements, her influence, but each sentence felt like another nail in a coffin of forgotten grievances.

The air in the room seemed thick, suffocating. She rushed through the conclusion, hardly able to look at her mother. As she sat down, her hands trembled, and she could feel tears pricking at her eyes.