Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked sourdough, once a comforting scent, now felt like a taunt. Liam sat at the kitchen table, watching his daughter, Chloe, meticulously knead a lump of dough. His own passion for baking had morphed into a relentless cycle, driven by Chloe’s unwavering interest. The kitchen counter was perpetually dusted with flour, the oven always running.

He picked at a stray crumb on the table, a feeling of unease settling in his gut. Chloe's insistence on perfectly shaped loaves and complex starters was beginning to feel like a competition. He glanced at his phone: a text from his boss reminding him of the deadline for the project. The pressure from work, combined with the constant demands of Chloe's baking, left him feeling utterly depleted.