Gemotions

He hadn't been to his father’s house in years, but the summons was unavoidable. The will. The reading. The other child. As the attorney spoke, the world tilted slightly. He focused intently on the patterns of the carpet, the grain of the wood, anything to avoid meeting his stepmother's apologetic gaze.

Afterward, he took a deep breath of the cold air outside. The familiar scent of autumn leaves did not bring the usual comfort. The knowledge sat heavy in his stomach, a lead weight.

He drove home, his hands clenched tight on the steering wheel. He wanted to shatter something, to scream until his voice gave out. The betrayal felt profound, a deep wound in his soul. This other child... she was an insult, a living affront.