Gemotions

The front door creaked open, revealing a hallway steeped in shadow. Elias hesitated, his hand still on the brass doorknob. His sister, Olivia, had already darted inside, her energy a stark contrast to his own. He felt a coldness spread through him, a feeling that had nothing to do with the temperature.

He’d expected the house to be… different. More like he remembered it. But it was just as he had left it, the photographs still in place on the walls, the furniture untouched. The air inside felt thick, heavy with unspoken emotions. His throat felt constricted, making it difficult to breathe.

He slowly walked down the hall, his gaze fixed on the familiar portraits, each a reminder of the time that was now gone. He wanted to turn and leave, to pretend this wasn't happening, but he knew he couldn’t. The estate needed sorting.