Chapter 48: Weird Gig

Employers wanted degrees, and experience—things she didn't have. Every rejection email chipped away at her fragile hope.

From the other room, Margaret's sharp voice cut through the silence. 

"Are you seriously still on that computer? Wasting time while my son comes home to an untidy house? You think jobs just fall into your lap?"

Emily clenched her jaw and took a deep breath. 

"I'm trying, Margaret. I want to contribute. I just—"

"Oh, spare me your excuses," Margaret scoffed, stepping into the living room with a disgusted look. 

"You expect a job to suit your little preferences? You should be grateful George takes care of you at all."

Emily bit her lip, stopping herself from lashing out. "Takes care of me? He does nothing! He won't even wash his own plate."

Before Margaret could respond, George stomped into the room, the controller still in hand, his expression bored.