Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Aubree was in her own little world, oblivious to the glaring lights and the bustling crowd that surrounded her. The moment of truth was creeping closer-the announcement for Best Actress was just around the corner, and her nerves were all over the place. That's when Matthew quietly sidled up beside her, whispering, "Aubree, just take a deep breath. You're going to be on camera soon, so try to stay calm."

His words were exactly what she needed, grounding her and bringing her back to a place of calm. Suddenly, the whole venue lit up, signaling the grandeur of the moment.

It was time to announce the Best Actress award. This was Aubree's dream, the prize she had longed for ever since she first dipped her toes into acting-holding that coveted trophy. Yet, in her previous roles, something always felt off.

In her latest project with Casey, she wasn't even sure if she was on the right path. She just found herself lost in the art, in a state of pure, unfiltered creativity.

Watching the host on stage, rattling off names in English, her palms began to sweat. The camera zoomed in on the faces of the nominated stars. Aubree was the only Asian actress among them.

She flashed a composed smile at the camera, exuding an air of calm and grace. As the host opened the envelope, his eyebrows lifted slightly at the name inside.noveldrama

Aubree's heart was in her throat, reassuring herself that even if she didn't win, it was okay. She had Matthew, someone she loved, and she was learning to love herself more each day. Everything would turn out just fine.

Then came the applause, and suddenly, all eyes were on her. Matthew couldn't hold back his excitement and leapt up to hug her.

It took a beat for her to process what was happening under the bright stage lights-she had actually won. She'd snagged the Oscar for Best Actress.

Her acceptance speech was a bit shaky at first, her voice thick with emotion but utterly sincere.

"My best friend once promised to take me to greater heights, places I'd never imagined. I had no clue what she meant. I felt like I was living in the shadows and acting became my refuge, where I found myself. When people praised my acting, it was because I was desperate to be anyone but myself. But then, met someone who showed me t ne that

maybe I wasn't so bad after all. My best friend pulled me from those dark times, and this person helped me forget them entirely. I'm so grateful to both of them, and to life itself. To all the fans curious about my love life, yes, I'm in love. But that won't change my focus on my career. I'll keep working hard to bring you more great performances."

"His name is Matthew, a guy seven years younger than me. At this crucial moment, I'm proud to share his name with the world. I believe in him; he's my rock. And I'm thankful

he was there to catch me whatul

needed it. Thank you, everyone."

She bowed deeply, and the camera panned to Matthew, who was visibly moved. As Aubree made her way off the stage, her dress a bit cumbersome, Matthew rushed to her side without hesitation. Aubree beamed at him, whispered something, and he bent down to adjust her dress. Their tender moment was captured on camera, not just for those present, but for the entire world to see.

Back home, fans went wild, flooding Twitter with their reactions. Some were cheering them on, while others

weren't as supportive. But it was obvious that no amount of dissent could dampen the happiness radiating from Aubree and Matthew on screen.

However, one person's joy can be another's sorrow. The Clements family watched in disbelief, never imagining Aubree would actually win an Oscar.

Desiree couldn't help but voice her disdain. "How shameless, confessing to a romance with a younger guy in front of everyone!"

The rest of the family stayed silent, their feelings a whirlwind of emotions.

Meanwhile, Andrew sat alone in his room, surrounded by empty bottles, watching the awards replay on his screen. He drank until his eyes were red and his fingers shook, the room heavy with the smell of alcohol. Then the doorbell rang, and for a fleeting second, he thought it might be Aubree, just like in those countless nights before.

"Aubree!" he shouted, happiness threading through his voice as he stumbled to the door. But his excitement, mixed with too much booze, sent him crashing into a nearby cabinet.

And then came darkness, as he passed out, blood trickling from his head.