Gemotions

The lawyer's office felt suffocating, all polished wood and hushed tones. Elias slammed his fist onto the mahogany desk, making the pens jump. "This is preposterous!" he bellowed, his voice echoing in the too-quiet room. His sister, Clara, sat calmly across from him, sipping tea, a picture of infuriating composure.

"The vineyard?" Elias spat, disbelief coloring his features. "Father left me the vineyard, the family estate, everything!" Then the paperwork. "And her? The antique doll collection? Worth peanuts!" A vein pulsed in his forehead. He'd poured his life into the family business, expecting recognition, not this insultingly small reward. His jaw clenched.

He needed air, a walk, anything to dispel the feeling of being cheated. He pushed back his chair with a screech that startled Clara. He was out the door before the lawyer could utter another word.