Gemotions

The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls of the old manor house. James, his jaw clenched, reread the letter again. His grandfather, the seemingly unflappable judge, had written this. A letter of resignation.

He felt like he was suffocating. He’d come to help sell the estate, not delve into his family’s secrets. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t get involved, that he would leave all this behind. But here he was, stuck.

James ran a hand through his hair, the paper crinkling in his grip. The words, the date, they all seemed to scream at him. He knew he should destroy it. But he wouldn’t. He refused to. He’d find out what had happened.