Chapter 5 Cassandra came crying to me: "Vivienne, why are you so ruthless?" "Just because of that gold bracelet Mom bought me?" "How could you force them to get divorced?" Right then, I was trying on new clothes. Ever since I'd successfully forced Mom's divorce, I'd used the same tactics to make her raise my living expenses to three grand a month. Everything she'd bought Cassandra over the years-I wanted ALL of it now. If she had money for Cassandra's stuff, why not mine? If she dared say no, I'd throw a complete tantrum. She'd taken my understanding for granted, never appreciating it. Well, now she could taste my hatred and insanity! I was checking myself out in the mirror, and barely glanced at her: "Cut the bullshit act." "You've been bleeding Mom dry for years too!" "We're sisters and you've got EVERYTHING, but you still had to screw me over for Mom's pocket change. You hogged all of Dad's love and STILL wanted to steal Mom's too. You're just as much of a bitch as they are." Ever since I started going crazy, life got WAY better. I refused to be the "good girl" or "perfect daughter." I'd rather die than be understanding and considerate of them ever again! I became a total bloodsucking leech. Latched onto Mom and drained her dry. MAN Home Cold Thanks Mom! 2.8% The second her paycheck hit, I'd blow through every penny. Even my friends thought I'd lost it: "Look, I get that you're hurt and pissed off." "But you've been at this for MONTHS. When are you gonna let it go?" "You're spending every dime your mom makes-what's she supposed to live on?" "How long are you planning to keep this up?" I announced without any shame: "I lived like shit for eight years, so I'm gonna live it up for eight years. THEN maybe I'll get over it." My friend looked horrified: 'Uh... isn't that a bit much?" 'Yeah, she screwed up, but she had her reasons!" 'She's a mom trying to be fair to both kids-what's wrong with that?" 'And she loves you SO much! She literally got divorced for YOU." cut her off: Didn't I love her? I gave up EVERYTHING for her." My dream major, my future." Been working side jobs since middle school so she wouldn't have to worry." I did EVERYTHING right, and she still only gave me fifty percent of her love." All those years we had nothing but each other, and she STILL squeezed out money for Cassandra." Why the hell should I accept that? What? The squeaky wheel gets the grease?" knew Mom loved me. That's what made it hurt so much more. f she didn't love me, I could've just cut ties and moved on. But now I wanted to suck every bit of value out of her, to prove that my sacrifices meant something. Mom wasn't wrong. She was just a "good mother." Treating both kids fairly and equally. Even now, facing her psycho daughter, she still loved me the same. Late at night, I'd wonder why I hated Mom so much more than Dad. Finally figured it out-Dad didn't give a shit about me at all. So I poured all my emotions into Mom. Her "betrayal" was what destroyed me.... 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.