Chapter 8 Her Younger brother

After two days of continuous chaos, Emily still had several hickeys on her neck. She chose a top with a slightly higher collar to cover them up.

As usual, Zoey was sitting on the couch, munching on sunflower seeds and watching TV, looking every bit like the lady of the house.

Emily cleared her throat as she came down the stairs and sat on the couch. Zoey glanced at her.

"What? Want breakfast? Make it yourself!" Zoey's tone was still as arrogant as ever.

Emily knew very well that the meal Zoey made yesterday was only because she was worried about being caught by the master of the house.

However, she didn't want to make a fuss over a meal, especially since she didn't think much of Zoey's cooking skills anyway.

"I want to ask you something."

Zoey turned her head and gave Julia a once-over. "What do you want to ask?"

"Is your master's last name Butler?"

Emily had picked up on this during her conversation with Zoey yesterday. It was the first time she realized her husband's last name was Butler.

Zoey sneered, "You don't even know your own husband's last name!"

"How old is he?" Emily continued to probe.

Although she had been half-asleep yesterday, she could definitely tell during their intimate moment that he was a young man.

Zoey remembered Kenneth's instructions from the night before, and her eyes became somewhat distant. "He's in his forties."

"Oh..."

Emily Avery let out a meaningful "oh." The touch of that skin last night, those firm muscles-if a man in his forties kept up with his fitness, it made sense.

Zoey snorted coldly, "Let me tell you, don't be fooled by Mr. Butler's age. Even though he's in his forties, his body is no less fit than a guy in his twenties. He's charming and handsome!"

Emily could see it clearly now-Zoey was always defending this man. Maybe she had a thing for him all along!

"Alright, I have nothing more to ask," Emily said as she stood up.

"Hey, let me tell you, when the master comes, serve him well. Don't make him unhappy, or you'll regret it!"

Emily rolled her eyes dramatically. Zoey didn't seem like a housekeeper; she was more like the wicked stepmother from a TV drama...

Back in her bedroom, Emily glanced at her phone. Her reminder app notified her that she had an audition today.

Graduation was approaching, and all her classmates had signed with various companies, but she was still without a contract.

Without an agency or a manager, it was hard for her to get audition opportunities. Fortunately, this audition was an open call. The director was the famous Blithe, who was planning to shoot a historical drama.

Director Blithe was known for his willingness to give newcomers a chance. His logic was that after a few years in the industry, actors just get too much "stuff" in their eyes. They become too self-conscious, too full of reservations, and the raw, authentic feeling in their performances is lost.

That's how Emily got this audition opportunity, but she was only auditioning for the third female lead.

Even though it was just the third female lead, because of Director Blithe's reputation, dozens of people were auditioning for the role!

The competition was fierce.

The ringing of her phone pulled Emily out of her thoughts. Seeing the number on the screen, she couldn't help but smile.

"Oliver, what's up?"

"Sis, what are you doing?" A young boy's voice came through the phone.

"I'm getting ready to change clothes and then head to an audition."

"You have an audition today!" The boy on the other end sounded even more excited than Emily. "You've got this! Break a leg!"

Emily chuckled. "Look at you, getting all excited. It's just a third female lead."

"So what if it's the third female lead? No one starts as the lead actress right away! With your talent, you'll be a big star someday!"

"Alright, alright, you little flatterer. Do you have enough money? Are you still taking your medicine? Have you been feeling okay lately?"

"I have enough money, and I'm still taking my medicine. I feel fine..." The boy's voice sounded a bit impatient. "You ask the same questions every time we talk."

"I'm just worried about you, you ungrateful brat!"

"How are things with you and my brother-in-law? Any plans for a baby?" The boy asked excitedly.

Emily bit her lip and then smiled. "My little brother... the head of my one-man 'have a baby' fan club."

"I'm just worried I won't be able to see it happen later on."

"Don't talk such nonsense!" Emily's voice was suddenly sharp, her expression turning serious in an instant.

"Sis, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that," the boy's voice replied, now heavy with resignation. "But you know it's true."

Emily bit her lip, holding back her tears. The last time her younger brother Oliver was hospitalized, Dr. John, who had been treating him for years, had a serious talk with her.

Her brother was born with congenital heart disease. At that time, medical science wasn't as advanced, and there was no way to treat it. The doctors said he wouldn't live past seventeen.

Later, a hospital offered surgery, but Oliver had already missed the optimal treatment window. Undertaking the operation now may not yield any benefits and carry significant risks.

Born at the wrong time.

From the day he was born, Oliver had been living under a death sentence handed down by his doctors.

And yet, here he was, eighteen years old and a senior in high school. He had already lived one year longer than expected.

During his last flare-up, Dr. John had told Julia to prepare herself mentally. Oliver's condition was not good.

"Okay, okay, sis, don't be upset. I want to see my little nephew or niece sooner, that's all. You and your husband have been married for a year now. I know you're still in that lovey-dovey phase and want to enjoy your little world for two. But what about me?"

Emily snapped back to reality. "Alright, Oliver.

My husband and I have talked about having a baby, and he agreed. But you know, having a baby isn't something that happens just because you want it to. It takes time."

"Really? That's great! As long as he's cool with it, then it's all good! Okay, I won't nag you anymore. Take your time, no rush!"

Emily smiled. For the past year, she had been hiding the truth from Oliver.

In Oliver's eyes, the story was a perfect one. His sister had a husband who was a top executive and traveled often, which was why she was always free to come home and take care of him. This brother-in-law was successful, earned a good living, and, most importantly, doted on his wife.

"Okay, sis, I'll let you go. Good luck with your audition!"

"You call me if you feel even a little bit off, you hear me?" "I know, bye!"

After hanging up, Emily let out a long, heavy sigh. Her brother would forever be her greatest heartache.

But she couldn't afford to think about that now. The audition this afternoon was crucial because she was running out of money.

She rummaged through her closet and picked out an outfit. Actually, there wasn't much to choose from. She only had a few presentable pieces, and it took but a single glance to see them all.

After changing and putting on a little light makeup, she headed out the door.

What she didn't expect was to run into someone she knew.