Gemotions

"So, the antique shop is yours, Leo?" Maya’s voice was unnaturally calm, bordering on brittle. Her brother, Leo, beamed, his eyes sparkling with unadulterated glee. He had always been the creative one. Now he would also be the successful one.

Maya clenched her jaw, the muscles tightening with each passing moment. Her own inheritance was a collection of their late father's old tools, stored in a dusty shed out back. They were, admittedly, in terrible condition. She wasn't known for her interest in mechanics.

A tight smile strained her lips. "Wonderful," she murmured, the word sounding hollow even to her own ears. The room was suddenly too warm, the air thick with unspoken accusations. She felt a burning sensation in her chest, a mixture of envy and a sharp sense of being overlooked.

She excused herself abruptly, finding herself outside, gasping for fresh air. The setting sun seemed to mock her with its vibrant colors, a stark contrast to the grayness that had settled over her world.