Gemotions

The scent of lavender potpourri, which had always soothed him as a child, suddenly felt cloying and irritating to David. He crossed his arms, staring at his brother, Ethan, across the worn mahogany dining table. Ethan, with his easy smile and charming manner, had just announced his plans to convert the sunroom into a yoga studio.

David felt a sharp pang of… something. Was it resentment? Certainly. He’d always envisioned the sunroom as a reading nook, a sanctuary. Ethan had spent so little time here, and yet, here he was, making grand pronouncements about "repurposing" their grandmother’s home.

He cleared his throat, the sound rough and strained. "Yoga studio? Really? You never even liked this house." He had no use for yoga, and, even worse, no use for his brother.