Gemotions

The solicitor’s crisp voice grated on Elias’s nerves. He hadn’t slept well since the reading of the will, and his jaw was practically clenched shut. "And for Elias," the man continued, adjusting his glasses, "a modest sum of twenty thousand dollars, and the family cottage." Elias felt a flush creep up his neck. He gripped the arms of his chair, the polished wood suddenly feeling slick with sweat. Across the room, his sister, Amelia, was practically glowing, a triumphant smile plastered on her face. Her inheritance? The bulk of their parents’ estate, including the lucrative family business.

Elias’s knuckles turned white. He’d dedicated years to helping his parents, always there when Amelia was off gallivanting around Europe. He swallowed hard. The cottage wasn't even worth much, falling apart as it was.

He cleared his throat, each word feeling like a boulder he had to push out. "Are you certain?" His voice sounded strained, a thin thread of disbelief. The solicitor simply nodded, and went on to other matters. He had to bite his lip to keep himself from screaming.