Gemotions

The courtroom felt vast and echoing, the polished wood floor reflecting the harsh fluorescent lights. Amelia kept picking at a loose thread on her sleeve. Her brother, Daniel, stood beside her, his shoulders squared, his jaw set. It had been years since they spoke.

The judge cleared his throat. "Regarding the estate of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison..."

Amelia's heart hammered against her ribs.

"...to Amelia, the family piano, a collection of handwritten letters, and a small, unpaid debt." Amelia's cheeks flushed. This was nothing.

Daniel's posture didn't shift. "And to Daniel?"

The judge smiled. "To Daniel, the family home, several lucrative investment accounts, and a substantial portfolio of properties." Amelia's vision blurred. She focused on the judge’s tie, trying to regulate her breathing.