Gemotions

The lawyer’s words echoed in Leo's ears: "Legally, they were within their rights.” He ran a hand through his hair, the texture of his scalp suddenly feeling raw. The biography, a lurid account of his rise and fall, felt like a public execution. He should be furious. He should be ready to fight. Instead, a dull ache throbbed in his temples, a pressure that squeezed his chest.

He remembered the early days, the naivete, the burning ambition that propelled him forward. He wanted to shield that younger version of himself, the one who'd believed in the best of everyone. The author had, of course, focused on the worst. He imagined the author sifting through his trash, and the thought was utterly humiliating. He felt his shoulders slump, a heavy weight settling on him.