Chapter 4: The Money My Mother Took
Daniel was waiting when I arrived at his office the following morning.
He had several documents spread across his desk.
"Good morning, Maya.""
"Did you find something?""
He nodded.
"Sit down.""
I placed my backpack beside the chair.
Daniel handed me a printed financial statement.
"Your grandmother established a separate account to maintain the design house and support your education.""
I studied the figures.
There were deposits from licensing agreements, rental income, and private commissions.
The numbers were much larger than anything I had ever seen.
"Is this all from Grandma's business?""
"Yes.""
He turned another page.
"After her death, your mother was authorized to access a limited amount for specific expenses.""
"How much?""
"She was permitted to receive a monthly allowance for managing the property. She could also request additional funds for your education.""
I nodded.
"That sounds fair.""
"It would have been, if the funds had been used as intended.""
Daniel showed me several withdrawals.
Some were marked for property maintenance.
Others were listed as educational expenses.
But the payment destinations were unfamiliar.
"These accounts aren't connected to the building," I said.
"Correct.""
"Whose are they?""
Daniel folded his hands.
"One belongs to your mother. Another is connected to a business registered under your sister's name.""
I stared at him.
"Brianna?""
"Yes.""
My throat tightened.
"What did she use the money for?""
"That is still being investigated. We have records showing payments for personal purchases, travel, and other expenses that do not appear to be related to the trust.""
I looked at the page.
One payment had been made to a luxury clothing boutique.
Another to a private event planner.
And another to a company that handled social media promotions.
I thought about Brianna's expensive handbag.
Her new shoes.
The parties.
The designer clothes.
"Did Mom pay for all of that?""
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he opened another file.
"Your grandmother left a provision that may be important.""
He pointed to a paragraph.
"If the guardian misuses trust funds, the independent trustee can suspend access and request a formal accounting.""
I looked up.
"Can she lose control?""
"Yes.""
"Of the building?""
"Of the trust administration, yes. Ownership was never hers.""
I sat back.
My mother had spent years telling me that everything depended on her permission.
The studio.
The machine.
The fabric.
Even my ability to dream.
And all along, she had been receiving money from a business my grandmother had built for me.
"Why didn't you stop her?""
Daniel sighed.
"Because the trust was being administered under the assumption that the withdrawals were legitimate. We had no reason to believe the supporting documents were false until recently.""
I looked down at the paperwork.
"Can I do something?""
"Yes. But I need you to understand that this will be difficult.""
I nodded.
"Tell me.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"We can request an independent review. Your mother will be notified, and she will have the opportunity to explain the transactions.""
"What happens if she lies?""
"Then the records will speak for themselves.""
He handed me a small folder.
Inside were copies of the original business agreements.
One document caught my attention.
It was a licensing agreement for the Butterfly Collection.
The agreement was still active.
"Does this mean Grandma's designs are still being sold?""
"Some of them. The rights are part of the trust.""
I looked at the signature.
There was a company name at the bottom.
*AURORA HOUSE FASHION GROUP.*
"Who are they?""
"A national fashion company. They have been licensing selected designs from your grandmother's archive for years.""
"Do they know about me?""
"Not yet.""
Daniel smiled.
"But I believe they would be very interested in meeting you.""
When I returned home, Vanessa was waiting in the living room.
She was sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed.
Brianna stood beside the fireplace, holding her phone.
"Where have you been?"" Vanessa asked.
"Out.""
"With Daniel Brooks?""
I froze.
She stood.
"I called his office.""
My stomach tightened.
"Why?""
"Because I wanted to know what nonsense he has been telling you.""
I looked at Brianna.
She was watching us with an expression of curiosity.
Vanessa pointed toward the dining table.
"Sit down.""
I didn't move.
"Mom, I—"
"Sit.""
I slowly sat.
She placed a document in front of me.
It was a statement declaring that I had no interest in the property or the business.
At the bottom was a blank signature line.
"What is this?""
"Something you need to sign.""
I read the first paragraph.
It said I voluntarily waived all claims to the Evelyn Carter Design House.
I looked up.
"No.""
Vanessa's face hardened.
"You haven't even read it.""
"I did.""
"Then you understand that this will simplify things.""
"Why do you need me to sign?""
"Because the building is being sold.""
I looked at her.
"Daniel said I own it.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Daniel is trying to manipulate you.""
"He showed me Grandma's trust.""
"Your grandmother was sick when she made those arrangements.""
"She knew what she was doing.""
Vanessa slapped the table.
"You're twelve years old! You don't get to decide what happens to this family!""
I looked at the document.
Then I pushed it back.
"I'm not signing.""
Brianna stepped forward.
"Mom, just make her sign it.""
Vanessa turned toward her.
"Stay out of this.""
"But she's making everything difficult.""
I stood.
"Because you're trying to take something that isn't yours.""
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
"Get upstairs.""
I picked up my backpack.
"Okay.""
"Now!""
I walked toward the stairs.
But before I reached them, Brianna spoke.
"By the way, Mom, the event organizer called.""
Vanessa turned.
"What did they say?""
"They want to feature my dress in the showcase announcement.""
I stopped.
Brianna smiled.
"They also asked whether I could bring the original designer.""
I turned around.
"You?""
She nodded.
"Yes. They think I'm talented.""
I stared at her.
"You're going to stand there and tell them you made my dress?""
Brianna shrugged.
"What else am I supposed to say?""
"The truth.""
Vanessa picked up her phone.
"That's enough. Your sister is building a career. You should be happy for her.""
I looked at both of them.
Then I noticed something on the table.
A printed invitation.
It was for the city's Young Designers Showcase.
My application number was written at the top.
I grabbed it.
"Where did you get this?""
Vanessa snatched the paper from my hand.
"That is none of your business.""
I stared at her.
"You canceled my application?""
She didn't answer.
Brianna looked away.
My chest tightened.
"Mom?""
Vanessa placed the invitation inside a folder.
"You are not participating.""
"Why?""
"Because we have more important things to deal with.""
I felt tears rising.
But I swallowed them.
Then I walked upstairs.
That night, I called Daniel.
He listened without interrupting.
When I finished, he was silent for several seconds.
"Did you sign anything?""
"No.""
"Good.""
"Can she really sell the building?""
"Not without following the trust's legal requirements. We will formally notify the relevant parties that the proposed sale is disputed.""
"Can I still enter the showcase?""
"That depends on whether the application deadline has passed.""
"It closes tomorrow.""
Daniel paused.
"Send me your original application materials.""
I did.
He reviewed them and called back twenty minutes later.
"Maya, there is a way.""
"What?""
"The showcase accepts late entries in exceptional circumstances when an applicant's work has been prevented from being submitted due to circumstances outside their control.""
I sat up.
"Really?""
"We can explain what happened and provide your sketches, photographs, and construction records.""
My heart began beating faster.
"But I don't have the dress.""
"You have the design. And you have the ability to make another one.""
I looked toward the sewing machine.
There wasn't enough fabric for another turquoise gown.
But there were other materials.
And I had an idea.
Daniel's voice softened.
"Your grandmother believed in you, Maya.""
I looked at the silver butterfly key on my desk.
"Then I'm going to finish what I started.""
The next morning, I woke before sunrise.
I went downstairs and unlocked the studio.
I gathered the remaining fabric, my sketches, and every crystal I had saved.
Then I began drawing.
Not another copy of the turquoise gown.
Something new.
Something that belonged entirely to me.
At seven o'clock, Mrs. Harper knocked on the studio door.
She was carrying a large cardboard box.
"I thought you might need these.""
Inside were rolls of fabric.
Silk.
Organza.
Deep midnight-blue velvet.
And a small envelope.
"Where did these come from?"" I asked.
Mrs. Harper smiled.
"Your grandmother left them with me.""
I opened the envelope.
A note fell into my lap.
When Maya is ready to make something of her own, give her the blue silk.
I looked at the fabric.
Then I looked at the old sewing machine.
For the first time since Brianna had taken my gown, I felt excited.
But my excitement lasted only a few minutes.
At eight fifteen, Vanessa entered the studio.
She was holding her phone.
"Who gave you permission to use these materials?""
I looked up.
"Mrs. Harper.""
"Get away from that machine.""
I kept my hands on the fabric.
"Mom, I have to finish something.""
Vanessa walked toward the table.
"Not anymore.""
She picked up the blue silk.
Then she reached for the scissors.
I stood so quickly that my chair fell backward.
"Don't!""
Vanessa stopped.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Excuse me?""
I looked at the scissors.
Then at the fabric.
And finally at my mother.
"Grandma left this for me.""
Vanessa's expression became terrifyingly calm.
"Then perhaps it's time I showed you what happens when you refuse to listen.""
May you like
She pulled out her phone.
And called someone.
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