Chapter 6: The Collection Nobody Was Allowed to See
“Dad, what happened to Grandma's final collection?””
Daniel stood beside the sewing-room door, his hand still resting on the brass handle.
For several seconds, he didn't answer.
Nia held the photograph between her fingers. The turquoise gown stared back at her from the glossy paper, its silver embroidery shining beneath the camera flash.
“Who left this envelope?”” Daniel finally asked.
“I don't know. I found it on the worktable.””
“Did anyone come into the house?””
“I was upstairs for twenty minutes.””
Daniel took the photograph and examined the handwriting.
His jaw tightened.
“Your mother needs to know about this.””
Nia shook her head.
“Mom already knows something. That's why she keeps trying to stop me.””
Daniel looked at his daughter.
“There's a reason I didn't tell you about the final collection.””
“What reason?””
He pulled out a chair.
“Your grandmother's last collection was supposed to be her greatest achievement. She spent almost three years developing it. Twelve original eveningwear designs, each representing a different chapter of a woman's life.””
Nia sat opposite him.
“Where are they?””
“Somewhere safe. Or at least, they were.””
“What does that mean?””
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
“After Elena died, your mother believed she should inherit the entire collection. She thought she could reopen Carter Atelier using those designs.””
“Wasn't she allowed to?””
“Not without permission from the estate.””
Nia looked at the archive notebook.
“So you refused?””
“I followed your grandmother's instructions.””
“What did Mom do?””
Daniel stared at the table.
“She took the collection's original presentation portfolio.””
Nia's stomach tightened.
“Why?””
“She believed the designs were hers by inheritance. When I asked her to return the portfolio, she said she'd already made arrangements with a fashion company.””
“What company?””
Daniel hesitated.
“Meridian House.””
Nia recognized the name.
It was one of the luxury fashion companies sponsoring the Rising Stars Youth Fashion Showcase.
She stared at her father.
“Meridian House is sponsoring the runway?””
Daniel nodded.
“Your grandmother had discussions with them before she died. They wanted to purchase the collection.””
“But why didn't they?””
“Because Elena refused to sell the entire archive. She wanted to preserve the original designs for future generations.””
Nia looked again at the photograph.
“Did Mom sell them anyway?””
“I don't know.””
“Dad, that's important.””
“I know.””
“Then we need to find out.””
Daniel stood and walked toward the old sewing machine.
He lifted the wooden lid of the cabinet beneath it.
Inside were several folders and a small metal box.
He removed a key from his wallet.
Nia watched him unlock it.
There were old contracts, letters, and photographs.
Daniel pulled out a document.
“Your grandmother left me this.””
Nia leaned forward.
It was a handwritten inventory.
Twelve designs were listed, each with a name and a short description.
The final entry was different.
Collection Twelve: The Unbroken Thread — Final master design.
Beneath it was a note.
To be completed by my granddaughter when she is ready.
Nia's eyes widened.
“That's the turquoise gown.””
Daniel nodded.
“It's the foundation of the collection. Elena intended the final piece to be completed by you.””
Nia touched the paper.
“But I was six when she died.””
“She believed you'd grow into it.””
Nia stared at the document.
For years, she had thought her interest in fashion was simply a hobby.
Now she wondered how much of her grandmother's influence had survived without anyone telling her.
“Where are the other eleven designs?””
Daniel closed the box.
“That's what we need to discover.””
The following morning, Nia accompanied her father to his office.
Daniel worked as an accountant for a small investment firm. His office was on the fourth floor of an older building, with narrow windows and shelves crowded with filing boxes.
He had kept Elena's estate records in a locked cabinet for years.
He spread the documents across his desk.
“Your grandmother's attorney sent these after the funeral,” he explained.
Nia examined a letter.
“Why is Mom's name mentioned?””
“Because Vanessa was originally listed as the beneficiary of the business assets. But Elena amended her will six months before she died.””
“Why?””
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“Your grandmother discovered that Vanessa had been negotiating with Meridian House using designs she hadn't been authorized to sell.””
Nia looked up.
“Mom tried to sell the collection before Grandma died?””
“She attempted to negotiate an advance.””
“Did Grandma find out?””
Daniel nodded.
“She was devastated.””
He handed Nia another document.
It contained a statement signed by Elena.
I do not wish my work to be divided or commercialized through coercion. The archive shall remain protected until the next generation demonstrates an understanding of its creative purpose.
Nia read it slowly.
Then she noticed a second signature.
Vanessa Carter.
Her mother's name appeared at the bottom.
“What is this?””
Daniel looked at the paper.
“Your mother signed an acknowledgment that she understood the archive restrictions.””
“So she knew she couldn't take the designs.””
“Yes.””
Nia felt anger rising.
“Then why did she let Brianna claim my dress?””
Daniel didn't answer.
Nia turned another page.
A letter from Meridian House was attached.
It was dated eleven months earlier.
The company had requested access to the collection for a potential exhibition.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
Please contact Vanessa Carter for the current location of the portfolio.
Nia stared.
“Mom has it.””
Daniel slowly nodded.
“That's what it appears to say.””
That afternoon, Vanessa returned home carrying two shopping bags.
She found Nia waiting in the living room with the estate documents.
Her expression immediately hardened.
“What is this?””
Nia placed the letter on the coffee table.
“Where is Grandma's final collection?””
Vanessa set down the bags.
“Why are you asking me?””
“Because Meridian House asked you for the portfolio.””
Vanessa glanced at Daniel.
“You've been discussing private family matters with her?””
“She's part of this family,” Daniel replied.
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“She is thirteen.””
“And the collection was intended for her.””
Vanessa turned toward Nia.
“Don't let your father fill your head with nonsense.””
Nia pointed to the signed document.
“You knew the designs were protected.””
Vanessa snatched the paper.
She read it quickly, then placed it back on the table.
“I signed that years ago.””
“Then why did you try to sell the collection?””
Vanessa's face changed.
“I was trying to save your grandmother's business.””
“You were trying to sell her work.””
“Do you have any idea how much money it takes to maintain a fashion house?””
“No.””
“Exactly. You have no idea.””
Vanessa paced toward the fireplace.
“Your grandmother left me with a collapsing business, unpaid bills, and a collection nobody could afford to produce. I had a family to support.””
Daniel stood.
“You also had a responsibility to respect her wishes.””
Vanessa turned sharply.
“You think I didn't sacrifice anything?””
“That's not what this is about.””
“It is always about sacrifice with you, Daniel. You get to play the noble man while I carried this family.””
Nia watched them argue.
Then she asked quietly:
“Where is the portfolio?””
Vanessa looked at her.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she walked toward the staircase.
“Some things are better left buried.””
Nia stood.
“Mom.””
Vanessa stopped.
“You can't keep hiding Grandma's work.””
Vanessa turned.
“Watch me.””
She disappeared upstairs.
That night, Nia received a message from an unknown number.
I know where the collection is.
A second message followed.
Your mother isn't the only person who has been lying.
Nia stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
Come to the old Carter Atelier building tomorrow. Alone.
Nia's fingers went cold.
She looked toward the hallway.
Daniel was downstairs.
Vanessa was in her bedroom.
Brianna had not returned home.
Nia typed one question.
Who is this?
The reply came immediately.
Someone who worked for your grandmother.
May you like
Then a final message appeared.
And someone who knows what happened to the last dress.
