Gemotions

The lawyer’s voice droned on, a monotonous recitation of clauses and beneficiaries. Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his gaze darting around the sterile office. His sister, Olivia, was designated as the sole heir to their parents’ beachfront property, a stunning villa overlooking the ocean. He got the family's collection of rare coins, locked away in a bank vault, requiring a complex process to access. He couldn't help but feel a sudden heat flush over his face.

The air seemed to thicken around him. His heart hammered against his ribs, a relentless drumbeat of resentment. The sand between his toes, the salty air, the warmth of the sun – those were the things he treasured.

He forced a smile, a grimace really, as he nodded at the lawyer. The world seemed to shrink around him, the walls closing in.