Bethany stood in front of the mirror, fixing her hair for the tenth time. 💄🪞 The purse sat on the table beside her — a brand-new limited-edition bag worth $3,000. 💼✨
“This has to work… it has to,” she whispered.
Brooke hadn’t called her “Mom” in two whole months. 😔 Ever since the court drama with Greg, custody fights, and late-night arguments, Brooke had grown distant. For Bethany, hearing “Mom” wasn’t just love — it was validation. Power. Control. 💔
With a deep breath, she walked into Brooke’s room.
Bethany (softly): “Brooke… I got you something.” 🎁
Brooke (without looking up): “If it’s another lecture or fake hug, I’m good.” 🙄
Bethany pretended not to hear that. She gently placed the box on the bed.
Bethany: “Just open it, sweetheart.” 🌸
Brooke sighed, lifted the lid… and froze.
Brooke: “Is this… the new Valencia purse? The one that’s sold out everywhere?” 😳👜
Bethany (smiling proudly): “Only the best for my daughter.” 😊
Silence. Brooke stared at the purse, then at Bethany.
Bethany (gently): “So… maybe now you’ll start calling me ‘Mom’ again?” 🫣
Brooke blinked… and smirked.
Brooke: “You bought me a purse… to buy the word ‘Mom’?” 😏
Bethany (nervous laugh): “I just miss how things used to be.”
Brooke’s fingers touched the strap. She remembered Sarah’s words earlier that day:
“If she tries to buy your love again… call her Big Bertha. Don’t let her win with money.” 🗯
Brooke took a breath, looked straight into Bethany’s eyes.
Brooke: “Thanks… Big Bertha.” 😐
Bethany froze. ❄
Bethany: “What… what did you just call me?” 😳
Brooke (calm): “You wanted a name, right? That’s all you’re getting for $3,000. Sarah was right — money doesn’t make you a mom.” 💔🔥
Bethany’s face went pale.
Bethany: “Brooke! That’s disrespectful!” 😠
Brooke (cold): “You can’t buy love. But you can buy humiliation — and this purse proves it.” 👜💣
Suddenly, a voice came from the doorway.
It was Larry, arms crossed, barely holding back laughter. 🤦♂😂
Larry: “Well… at least she didn’t call you ‘Bank of Bethany.’ Progress?”
Bethany (furious): “This is your fault! You turned her against me!” 😡
Brooke stood up, holding the purse.
Brooke: “No. You did that yourself. You’re trying to buy loyalty… while Greg is actually trying to fix things.” 🥀
Bethany’s voice cracked.
Bethany: “Greg is suing me! He dragged this family to court!” ⚖😤
Just then, Brooke’s phone buzzed. 📱
She looked at it and read aloud:
Brooke: “Natasha just confirmed… she’s officially Greg’s lawyer. Against you.” 😬
Bethany stumbled backward.
Bethany: “Natasha? My friend? She took Greg’s side?” 😢
Brooke’s lips curled slightly.
Brooke: “People choose honesty over money, Big Bertha. Sarah was right.” 🥶
Bethany’s eyes filled with rage and humiliation. She turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. 🚪