Gemotions

The lawyer’s words hung in the air: “You’re not the beneficiary, Ms. Davies. There’s been an error.” Clara felt a cold wave wash over her. She’d spent weeks, clinging to the false hope of the inheritance, dreaming of a new life.

She had told her family about the money, about the plans. They were elated, the relief palpable. She’d allowed herself to dream, to plan, to believe. Now, she felt a burning shame.

She called her sister, avoiding eye contact as she spoke, her voice catching on every syllable. It felt like she had lied, stolen something precious from them all. She tried to explain, her voice a strained whisper.

She shut herself in her room, the silence suffocating. She felt a deep, twisting ache in her stomach. She stared at the ceiling, thinking she'd been wrong to tell them.