Gemotions

The air conditioning blasted cold air, yet Julia felt a bead of sweat trickle down her temple. The diagnosis in the file was unfamiliar, frightening. It bore the name of another, a stranger she now shared a twisted connection with. She tapped her pen on the table, the sound echoing in the silent room.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her chest felt constricted, as if a physical weight had settled there. She wanted to scream, to lash out, but instead, she just sat, still and silent, the file an accusing presence before her.