Gemotions

The old house creaked around her, the sound amplifying her every movement. Emily hated the heavy atmosphere, the reminders of a past she barely understood. She found it hard to breathe, the weight of the past pressing down on her.

She stared at the document. Her father’s draft resignation letter, filled with crossed-out words and hesitant phrasing. He was apologizing for “lack of sufficient progress”. She felt a tight squeeze in her chest.

She felt suddenly exposed, as if the flaws in her own life were magnified tenfold. Her own work felt inadequate. She felt the eyes of her family on her, and the unseen judgements of others. She couldn't wait to leave.