Chapter 5 I point to a butterfly shaped burn scar below my collarbone. "This is from when I was five. She burned this into me with her cigarette, over and over again." The whole courtroom explodes. Camera flashes go crazy, reporters acting like they just won the lottery. Marlena goes white as a ghost instantly, her lips trembling, panic flashing in her eyes. But she recovers fast, even managing a mocking smile: "You're lying! You did that to yourself! You're trying to frame me!" Her voice is still sweet, but you can hear it shaking if you listen close. I look calmly at the judge: "This kind of old burn can be forensically analyzed to determine when it happened and how it was made." The judge nods, suddenly looking serious. Marlena's gripping the table so hard her knuckles are white. She's trying to keep up the loving mother act, but the terror in her eyes is getting more obvious. I turn toward my stepfather Garrett in the gallery and say, word by word: "I also know she has an identical butterfly tattoo on her right side. She got it to cover up an old scar." Garrett's face goes dark. His expression shifts from trust to suspicion to complete scrutiny. Marlena feels her husband's stare. Her breathing gets rapid, sweat beading on her forehead. She wants to explain but can't find the words. "She said this way, we'd always have a secret just between mother and daughter." My voice is quiet, but it carries perfectly in the silent courtroom. That sentence is like lighting a fuse-Marlena's panic explodes. Her mask finally starts cracking. "No! That's not true!" "She's lying! She doesn't know anything!" Marlena's voice isn't sweet anymore-it's sharp and hysterical. The judge bangs the gavel: "Order! Court is now in recess. The defendant will submit to physical examination." That sentence completely destroys Marlena's last line of defense. She has a total meltdown right there in court, thrashing around like a toddler having a tantrum: "I don't consent! This violates my privacy! I'm the victim here! Why should I be examined!" She's showing her true colors now-nothing like the perfect mother she pretends to be. Tears and snot all over her face, voice hoarse like a wild animal. Her fans look at each other, confused, starting to whisper. From shock to confusion to doubt. "What's wrong with Mama Mar?" "Why won't she just get examined?" "If it's fake, wouldn't an exam prove she's innocent?" Public opinion starts shifting for the first time. The endless hate comments slow down, replaced by more and more questions. Brighton looks sick, rushing over to calm Marlena down: "Mom, you need to chill" "Chill? Marlena shoves him away, eyes full of despair and rage. "Do you have any idea what her accusations mean?!" Garrett slowly stands up His expression goes from confusion to anger to complete disappointment: "Marlena, you better explain this to me." Seeing his face, Marlena suddenly goes soft, voice getting weak again: "Garrett, please trust me. I really don't know her." "Then how does she know about your tattoo?" Garrett's voice is low and dangerous. "I didn't even know about that tattoo until after we got married." Marlena opens her mouth to defend herself, but any explanation sounds pathetic now. Court officers step forward to enforce the examination. Facing the truth that's about to come out, Marlena completely loses it. She points at me and screams: "It's all you! All you, you little bitch! I should never have given birth to you! Should've strangled you the day you were born!" The whole room gasps. Those words completely expose who she really is and seal her fate. If she really didn't know me, how could she say "given birth to you"? The fans start getting restless, some already ripping up their banners. From crazy support to confused doubt to furious betrayal-the mood shifts in seconds. "Why would Mama Mar say something like that?" 'Did she just say 'given birth"?" 'Are they actually mother and daughter?" 'She played us!" Garrett's face changes completely. He's looking at Marlena with pure disgust and anger. After the recess, Garrett approaches me for the first time. His expression is complicated-guilty and angry at the same time: "Tell me everything you know." 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.