Gemotions

The lawyer’s office was oppressively formal, the air thick with the scent of old paper and suppressed sighs. Olivia clutched the document in her trembling hands. Her father’s final instructions, neatly typed, but at the end, a handwritten addition: "My Final To-Do List."

She scanned the list, each item a sharp reminder of all the things he hadn't done, or worse, had left for her. “See the ocean.” “Learn to play the piano.” “Tell Olivia to live life to the fullest.” Her fingers tightened around the paper.

The attorney cleared his throat, breaking the silence. Olivia ignored him, staring at the list, her jaw locked. Live life to the fullest? How dare he. She crumpled the list in her fist, then smoothed it out, a wave of weariness washing over her.