Chapter 4 Public opinion totally flips to Marlena's side. I become the most hated "ungrateful brat" on the entire internet. Ungratefulkoxanne is trending at number one. The comments are pure venom. Itow is this piece of trash still breathing?] IShe won't even leave her dead mom alone-sick freak!] I calmly turn off my phone. No emotion. I'm all out of tears. If she wants to put on a show, I'll give her the performance of a lifetime. I decide to sue her-for abandonment. On the day of the hearing, the courthouse is swarmed with reporters and Marlena's fans. The crowd's screaming insults. "Roxanne, get out here!" "Shameless piece of garbage!" I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. Walking through the crowd, I spot my stepfather Garrett Sinclair making his first public appearance, sitting in the gallery. He's looking at me like I'm something he'd scrape off his shoe, with this nasty smirk. Marlena's wearing a black suit, makeup perfect as always. She's in the defendant's chair, eyes slightly red, looking all pitiful, dabbing at her eyes with tissues. Her fans are holding banners-MAMA MAR, WE WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOU! Seeing this circus makes my stomach drop. She's such a good actress, even I almost buy her act. Marlena's lawyer is smooth as silk, voice booming with confidence. "Ladies and gentlemen, the plaintiff Roxanne suffers from severe delusional disorder. She's made up this ridiculous story out of jealousy toward Brighton." Then he waves a stack of papers in the air: "This is Roxanne's psychological evaluation. She's shown violent tendencies and antisocial behavior since childhood." The documents are all fake, but nobody here would believe me anyway. My stepbrother Brighton takes the stand. He's in a designer suit, all polite and well-spoken, with just the right amount of emotion in his voice: "Roxanne's been stalking our family for three years. She hangs around our neighborhood, taking creepy photos of my mom." He pauses, fake pain flashing in his eyes: "We called the police multiple times, but she won't stop. She's been terrorizing my mom, keeping her up at night." The gallery starts murmuring, some people actually crying. My heart's racing. Every piece of evidence is stacked against me. The judge's expression shifts from neutral to annoyed to straight up disgusted. "The plaintiff's evidence is insufficient and contains obvious logical inconsistencies." The judge flips through the case files, voice getting colder: "The defendant Marlena has been dead for three years. How can she commit abandonment?" Marlena's lawyer grins with satisfaction: "Your Honor, this is classic behavior from someone with delusional disorder. She's living in a fantasy of her own making, unable to distinguish reality from fiction." The gallery's getting louder. This chick's totally nuts." How do you abandon someone when you're dead?" What a waste of the court's time!" [feel completely surrounded, palms sweating, back soaked through. The judge's voice cuts through like a death sentence: "Plaintiff, do you have any evidence proving a mother-daughter relationship with the defendant?" Marlena and her lawyer exchange triumphant looks. Garrett shakes his head with a cold laugh. Brighton's smirking, totally enjoying my humiliation. The fans are stretching their necks, waiting to see me crash and burn. Reporters raise their cameras to capture my defeat. Under all those disgusted stares, I slowly stand up. My fingers are shaking as I unbutton my filthy shirt collar. The courthouse goes dead silent, everyone holding their breath. The evidence isn't on paper. It's on my body." Title: The Good Girl's Dirty Secrets (English-dubbed) In CrushReel's ongoing romance, "The Good Girl's Dirty Secrets," a young woman ensnared in a decade-long struggle against familial constraints finds unexpected solace in a man who appears as her pathway to freedom. Initially leveraging his presence for escape, she is gradually swayed by his unwavering faith and unwavering dedication. Exploring themes of liberation and trust, the narrative delves into the complexities of breaking free from oppressive environments. The protagonist's evolution from using the man as a means of salvation to embracing genuine connection offers a poignant portrayal of emotional transformation. Amidst the backdrop of romance, the story skillfully weaves a tale of self-discovery and resilience, capturing the essence of human vulnerability and strength. What sets "The Good Girl's Dirty Secrets" apart is its nuanced depiction of intricate relationships and internal struggles, resonating with readers seeking depth and authenticity in romantic narratives. Available to read online at CrushReel, this captivating tale promises a journey of self-realization and love amidst adversity.