Gemotions

The world seemed to tilt on its axis for Chloe. She read and reread the message: “Relationship: Parent/Child.” A name she didn't know stared back at her from the screen, a woman's profile picture radiating a stranger's warmth. Her legs felt weak, and she sank to the floor, her back against the cool wall.

Her breath came in shallow, ragged gasps. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to make the screen vanish, to rewind time, to erase the words. It was like a nightmare unfolding in broad daylight. She hadn't realized how fragile her sense of self was until this very moment. "No, no, no," she whispered, the sound barely audible above the frantic thumping of her heart.