Gemotions

The dinner party was underway, and Emily was struggling to keep it together. She'd worked hard to create a welcoming atmosphere, but the secret of the house was a heavy weight. She'd tried to bury the feeling of it by spending hours arranging the candles, choosing the perfect playlist. The guests were all friends, people she wanted to impress.

She poured the wine, her hand shaking slightly. Someone mentioned the local history, and a woman asked, "Didn't someone…die here?" Emily's stomach dropped. She forced a laugh. "Oh, that old wives' tale?" She tried to sound breezy, but her voice cracked.

She found herself talking non-stop, eager to fill the silence, to drown out the unspoken question in the air. She made sure that everyone had a full glass, and took extra pains to laugh at every joke. She felt a burning pressure on her cheeks, each syllable felt strained, as if she were carrying a secret that was eating her away from the inside.