Gemotions

The photograph, framed and hanging on her living room wall, had always been a source of comfort for Elena. A picture of her and her mother, laughing, arms around each other. Until today. The letter, delivered by a messenger, sat on the small table beneath it. A letter from her mother's estranged sister, apologizing for the years of silence. For the lies.

Elena stared at the picture, the smile of her mother now seeming… false. She felt a coldness spread through her, starting at her toes. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against the cool glass.

She saw the reflection of her face in the glass, and it wasn't the face she recognized. The image was all wrong, a distorting mirror of the woman she thought she was. She wanted to scream.