Gemotions

From his perch on the plush armchair, David watched as his sister, Sarah, carefully examined the deed to the family’s sprawling lakeside property. A genuine smile danced across her face. He felt the blood drain from his own, ashen face.

The letter informing him of his inheritance sat crumpled in his pocket. It detailed a small, neglected plot of land, far away from anything. He ran his hand across the crisp fabric of his shirt, a sudden, unfamiliar heat radiating from his chest.

“It’s beautiful,” Sarah declared, her voice filled with a joy he didn’t share. The room felt like a cage, the ornate furniture suddenly suffocating. He’d always felt like the shadow of his sister; now, the difference between them was even more glaring.

He cleared his throat, the sound catching. “Yes,” he managed, his voice barely a whisper. He rose, the movement stiff and awkward. He had to go, escape the atmosphere, and the way Sarah’s happiness highlighted the empty space within him.