Chapter 4 Dad and I stared at each other: "Would you really be okay with her running up four flights of stairs for hours, making forty bucks?" "Would you be fine with her killing her appetite, living off vitamins and protein bars every day?" College money wasn't easy to come by. One food delivery: one dollar. Cafeteria work: seven bucks an hour. Go off-campus for better pay, but I was a pre-med student! I didn't have TIME to travel that far. "You probably think I'm an ungrateful brat." "But Dad, if you and Mom get back together-" "Let's not pretend we have a father-daughter relationship anymore." "It would make all my suffering these years a complete joke." Then it hit me: "Wait-you stopped seeing me as your daughter a long time ago." 'So just... forget what I said." Then I stood up, glancing at Cassandra. The jealousy and unfairness still burned in my chest like actual physical pain. But I knew it wasn't her fault. The only ones to blame were my ridiculous, biased parents. I still chose to drop out. Pre-med was never my choice anyway. Chapter 4 I hated every second of it. Plus, medical school takes forever. Even after graduating, the pay sucks and you basically PAY to work. I was done being limited by money. So work for a couple years first, save up some cash. Then go back, retake the SATs, and use student loans for the degree I actually wanted. Sure, I'd lose four years compared to everyone else. But I refused to live under that crushing pressure of academics and survival anymore. Maybe because I'd made such a huge scene, showing just how much I hated my parents- Dad randomly sent me thirty grand. And Mom showed up at my door. I was living in the boba shop's "dorm"-a storage closet with no windows. She looked absolutely wrecked, eyes swollen from crying. Seeing me, she got all "heartbroken": "You're living in THIS..." I cut off her fake sympathy: "What's the act for?" "When you dragged me away from the good life for your separation drama, wasn't this exactly the kind of place we lived in?" Her face went stiff, tears streaming: "You never used to be like this." "Vivienne...". I laughed bitterly: "I was just stupid before, always thinking about YOU." "That's why I ended up in this mess." Chapter 4 "If I hadn't felt sorry for you, hadn't followed you to be your personal maid-" "I could've had a great life." I hated her. The hate was literally making my heart bleed. The humiliation, the betrayal, the feeling of being played... Just seeing her face made rage bubble up in my chest. The more I looked at her, the sicker I felt. I grabbed a broom and started chasing her out: "GET OUT, you pathetic bitch!" "You ruined my life and you have the nerve to show your face?!" "Go find your precious little princess, go live your 'equal' life, why are you bothering ME?" I was literally beating her with the broom. I realized I wasn't even myself anymore. I just wanted to destroy everything... Mom must have lost her mind, because even after that beating, she kept coming back. She apologized, said she was wrong, promised she wouldn't obsess over "fairness" anymore. She'd even talk to Dad, fight for me to get what I deserved. I went insane: 'You HAVE to divorce Dad." 'Eight years of separation, eight years of me living like shit with you." 'You think you can just pretend nothing happened and go back to your rich housewife life?" "DREAM ON! If you even THINK about going back-" "I'll find some old pervert to be my sugar daddy. You hate men's sexism and women being submissive in relationships, right?" Chapter 4 I didn't just threaten her with words-1 threatened to kill myself too. Forced her to go to city hall and get those divorce papers signed. There. I'd finally broken them apart completely. And honestly? It felt AMAZING! 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.