Gemotions

The weight of the courtroom was suffocating. I kept adjusting my tie, the silk feeling scratchy against my skin. My sister, Emily, sat beside me, her face pale, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. We had been estranged for years.

The judge cleared his throat.

"Regarding the estate of our parents..."

My heart hammered against my ribs.

"...to Oliver, the family's ancestral home, a collection of rare coins, and a debt-ridden farm." I felt a sudden urge to flee.

Emily watched me, her gaze unreadable.

"And to Emily?" the judge asked.

"Emily has inherited a substantial art collection, a controlling share in a global pharmaceutical company, and a trust fund worth millions." Emily's lips curved into a triumphant smile. The room seemed to tilt.