Gemotions

David clenched his fists beneath the table, the knuckles turning white. His sister, Emily, was bequeathed their parents' art collection, a portfolio of paintings and sculptures worth millions. He, on the other hand, was left with a small island in the Pacific, a speck of land he had never even visited. He felt a hot prickle behind his eyes.

He imagined the vast wealth, the social connections, the life of sophistication Emily would now embrace. He felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

He cleared his throat, struggling to find his voice. The lawyer’s words seemed to echo in the cavernous room, each syllable a hammer blow against his carefully constructed composure. His mouth felt dry, his head was swimming.