Gemotions

The email sat in Amelia’s inbox, a stark white rectangle against the cluttered background. “DNA Results Available.” A thrill of anticipation had coursed through her earlier, but now a chill settled in her bones. She clicked the link, her fingers clumsy on the mouse. The screen loaded, and the words blurred. Seventy-two percent British, the report stated. The rest, a smattering of other European ethnicities. It was the "Unknown" that snagged in her throat. Below, a small section detailed "potential family connections." Empty. She felt a familiar pressure in her chest, a knot forming as she scrolled through the data. It confirmed nothing. She looked around her apartment, a space she'd spent years decorating with meticulous care, each object carefully curated to reflect her ‘authentic’ self. Now, it felt like a museum of someone else’s life.