Gemotions

Liam stared at the photograph, a picture of a young woman he’d never seen before. The woman’s eyes mirrored his own father’s, and the resemblance struck him like a physical blow. He felt a hollowness in his chest, an emptiness that spread through his limbs, leaving him feeling drained.

He stumbled backward, knocking over a stack of books. He barely registered the sound. He picked up the photograph again, studying the unknown face. He found himself cataloging every feature, searching for answers, looking for any clue.

His phone buzzed. It was a text from his mother, a simple “Can we talk?” The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken things. He stared at the screen, the weight of the day pressing down on him. He knew what she wanted to say.