Chapter 6 Mom scraped together every penny she had and gave me twenty grand. Combined with Dad's thirty, I had fifty thousand dollars. So when she begged me through tears to go back to school and not ruin my future, I agreed to try college. again. The thing is, SAT prep classes had already finished enrollment ages ago. But Mom-who'd always whined about being "broke" and "helpless"-somehow magically found connections to get me into a test prep program. Figures. It wasn't that she COULDN'T do stuff like this before. She just didn't think I was worth the effort. Even when I was having breakdowns over SAT stress, she never mentioned having ways to get me better teachers or one-on-one tutoring. After joining the prep program late, I threw myself into studying like crazy. Of course, I didn't forget to demand my living expenses right on schedule. I mean, who doesn't like money... One phone call and Mom HAD to deliver. She'd had money for Cassandra's shopping sprees before. Was she really gonna claim she couldn't support one test prep student now? If she ever refused, I'd scream and cry about her being biased. Cassandra got everything handed to her without lifting a finger. I suffered through 8 years of hell with her, so what's wrong with me taking her money for a few years? Mom was visibly falling apart, trying to guilt-trip me and make me feel sorry for her- Dinner was just scrambled eggs with some sad canned corn. Her eyes were all hopeful. Probably expecting me to complain or feel sorry for her so she could put on her big performance. Chapter 6 Then we'd have some tearful mother-daughter reconciliation moment. But I just scarfed down the food without a word. She looked disappointed: "You're not gonna complain about this meal?" I kept chewing, still cold as ice: "When you first separated from Dad, you were broke and crazy busy." "I was TEN and learned to cook for you." "I took one egg, added tons of water to make egg soup, but put in way too much salt... You remember how that tasted?" I'd been through way worse already. Her trying to guilt-trip me now was just pathetic. Her expression got awkward. "Mom, I used to feel SO sorry for you." "But now I realize you never felt sorry for ME." "In your mind, me suffering with you was just natural." 'But your precious little princess couldn't handle even a tiny bit of hardship-you had to shower her with love and money." [ sneered: 'Some people just don't deserve sympathy." 'Took me eight years to figure that out." Mom's face went through about ten different colors. She slammed the table and stood up: "ENOUGH! So I bought your sister ONE piece of jewelry!" "Are you gonna hold this grudge FOREVER?" Chapter & "I gave you twenty THOUSAND dollars! That's like three or four bracelets!" She'd finally snapped, face full of anger and disappointment. But what gave her the right? I looked at her and held up my bare wrist: "You could think to give me a lump sum of cash." "Why couldn't you think like you did for Cassandra and tell me... young women should wear some jewelry?" "If you were giving me money anyway, why not buy me a gold bracelet and say 'sister has one, so you should too"?" She KNEW what kind of person I was. No way in hell would I spend thousands on some overpriced jewelry that wouldn't fill my stomach. The truth was, her "gift" was just advance payment on living expenses. Her love was just cost-effective "love." 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.