Gemotions

The smell of old books and parchment usually filled Samuel with a contentedness, a comforting feeling. Now, it made his head ache. His collection of first editions and rare manuscripts, once a source of pride, seemed to taunt him. His daughter, Olivia, had gotten into the same reading, and started studying the books for hours.

Olivia would approach him with questions. “Dad, what do you think of this passage?” Her inquisitiveness felt like an invasion. He found himself answering curtly, his usual patience frayed.

"It's...interesting," he would mumble, unable to meet her enthusiastic gaze. The books, which had always been his sanctuary, now seemed to close in on him, the words on the page blurring into a wall of judgment.