Gemotions

The envelope felt heavy, though it contained only a single sheet of paper. Daniel, standing in the cramped, cluttered apartment, ripped it open with a shaky hand. His mother's will. He, the elder son, expected the family's antique clock collection. It was what he'd been told since childhood.

He scanned the words, a cold dread creeping into his bones. His younger brother, Samuel, got the clocks. He got the family's dilapidated bookshop, which would likely never turn a profit.

Daniel’s chest constricted. He took a staggering step backwards, bumping into a stack of boxes he’d yet to unpack. He’d abandoned his law degree years ago. Now, he’d be stuck here, in this crumbling business, with nothing. He felt the blood drain from his face.