Gemotions

The listing felt like a punch to the gut. The damn house, all sunny and inviting in the pictures, was a reminder of everything Liam had been forced to leave behind. The oak tree in the backyard, where he spent hours building forts, now looked mature and strong. It made him want to scream.

He clicked on the virtual tour, moving from room to room, each space a memory, a ghost of a past he'd fought so hard to outrun. The realtor’s voice, chipper and overly enthusiastic, grated on his nerves. “Spacious bedrooms, perfect for creating lasting memories!” He nearly choked.

He switched off the computer with a snap, his jaw clenched so tightly he felt a headache blooming behind his eyes. He went to the kitchen and made coffee, black, bitter, the way he liked it. He stood at the window, staring out at the rain, and felt an unfamiliar pressure in his chest.