Chapter 10 - BROOKE'S COUNTERATTACK
Brooke refused to be the only woman humiliated.
She hired counsel.
Then she started telling people Richard had manipulated her.
Partly true.
She also tried to minimize her own cruelty toward Amanda and Ethan.
Amanda did not let one truth erase another.
Brooke had believed Richard’s financial lies.
She still entered a relationship with a married man.
She still brought Tyler into Amanda’s home.
She still told Amanda:
Control your own kid.
She still stepped into Amanda’s space and bragged:
Richard takes care of us.
Then Brooke provided useful evidence.
Messages.
Photos.
Voice notes.
One from Richard:
Amanda doesn’t really need me. You do.
Brooke:
I want you, not rescue.
Richard:
Same thing some days.
That revealed his psychology.
Richard wanted to be necessary.
Amanda’s competence made him feel optional.
Brooke’s financial dependence made him feel powerful.
Then Brooke admitted:
“I liked that he chose me over her.”
There it was.
Not only money.
Status.
Amanda had wealth.
Career.
House.
Brooke could beat her only by taking the husband.
Then she saw the cost.
Richard had lied to both women differently.
To Amanda:
nothing is happening.
To Brooke:
Amanda is already gone.
To Tyler:
this will be your home.
To Ethan:
Dad will be back after work.
One man.
Four realities.
Then Brooke asked Amanda through counsel for temporary help with Tyler’s school because Richard’s payments stopped.
Amanda said no.
Not cruelly.
Tyler’s education was not Amanda’s legal obligation.
But she gave Daniel permission to share community scholarship resources anonymously through Brooke’s attorney.
Why?
Because Tyler was still nine.
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Amanda would not fund the secret family.
She also would not confuse a child with the adults’ betrayal.
