Chapter 3 Cassandra's face went rigid: "I... I..." She didn't dare give up her cushy lifestyle. I rolled my eyes and totally ignored her. After rambling for ages, she finally said: "Grandma and Grandpa want you home for dinner tonight." Now THAT'S what I wanted to hear. That evening, I went back to Dad's side. Dad wouldn't give me money, sure. But letting me eat and sleep there. Sometimes Grandma and Grandpa would have me over for Sunday dinner. Then at dinner, they'd try getting me to convince Mom to come back. Before, I respected Mom too much to help with that mess. But now I just sat there stabbing at my food: 'They've been separated for years. This can't go on forever." 'Either get divorced or end the separation." Grandma quickly agreed: "Exactly!" "Just mention it to your mom." I chuckled: "That's Cassandra's job!" 'She's Mom's precious baby-Mom would rather starve me than let her go without birthday presents." "Mom actually LISTENS to what she says." "Anything I say goes in one car and out the other." Everyone knew exactly WHY I'd "cut ties" with Mom. This made Cassandra tear up. Dad slammed the table: 'Quit being such a sarcastic little shit!" 'Your mom starving you is HER screwed-up problem, not Cass's fault." 'Besides, I don't give you money because your mom started this whole 'equality' bullshit, and didn't you support her?!" 'One parent, one kid-Cass takes care of me when I'm old, you take care of your mom. Perfect system!" 'Even if I gave you money, you wouldn't appreciate it. You've always favored your mom since you were ittle. When you're older, you'll take care of her anyway." 'Might as well put everything into Cass..." He sounded so reasonable, so logical. His theory: whoever raises the kid gets taken care of by them. He wasn't giving me money, but he wasn't expecting me to take care of him either. fI had issues, blame Mom! But... The logic's totally fair." 'What about feelings though?" I looked at him: "Just because I live with Mom doesn't mean I'm not your daughter anymore?" "You buy Cassandra new phones like it's nothing, designer bags, fancy shit." Chapter 3 "Did it ever cross your mind that even throwing me $200 here and there would save me 20 hours of work?!" I was full of resentment. If Dad and Mom had actually gotten divorced, maybe I wouldn't be this bitter. Divorced couples genuinely don't want to deal with each other's kids. But that wasn't my parents' situation. They were only separated because of some stupid fight. The whole thing started because Mom wanted what other families had-spouses sharing housework and decisions together. But Dad thought since he was out making the big bucks in business, why shouldn't he get to rest when he got home? He had money-just hire a maid. But Mom went ballistic. Said Dad looked down on her, blah blah blah... It escalated because Dad said some really nasty stuff. So a small issue became huge. And I automatically took Mom's side. But if they were really committed to splitting up, why not just get divorced? Why this separation bullshit? Why make me feel like I didn't have a father? What I really wanted to know: 'If Cassandra had gone with Mom instead, Dad-would you still not give a damn?" 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.