Gemotions

The legal documents felt heavy, a physical weight pressing down on Maya’s shoulders. She ran a hand through her hair, smoothing down stray strands as she listened. Her brother, Daniel, was bequeathed the family business, a thriving software company with limitless potential. She, however, received a box filled with her grandmother's letters and diaries. The expectation felt like a slap in the face. She longed for the opportunities, the prestige, and the financial security that Daniel was clearly going to enjoy.

She could barely sit still. The edges of the parchment blurred as her vision swam. Her leg bounced, a rapid, jerky movement that betrayed her internal turmoil.

“Thank you,” she managed to squeak out, her voice barely a whisper. The polite façade felt brittle, ready to crack at any moment.