Gemotions

He took a deep breath, the air filling his lungs with the scent of catered food and cloying perfume. It had been years of pretending to be okay, a facade built brick by brick, against the backdrop of his father's gruelling job. Now, it was done.

His shoulders slumped slightly as he approached the microphone. He looked at the room, filled with people he vaguely knew, and offered a small, sincere smile. The knot in his stomach loosened. He could finally relax.

"Dad," he said, his voice softer than he'd intended. "I know how much you’ve put into this. More than I ever could have. I'm just..." He paused, searching for the right words. "...I'm happy for you." A genuine weight had lifted.