Chapter 4: My Father's Name Was on the Evidence
I returned home at 11:20 a.m.
Dad's car was parked outside.
I walked straight into his office.
He was on a conference call, standing beside his desk with one hand in his pocket.
When he saw me, he held up a finger.
I waited.
He finished the call, closed his laptop, and looked irritated.
“What is it?””
I placed my phone on his desk.
“The competition says your account submitted Brianna's design.””
His expression barely changed.
“What?””
“Your account. Your name. Your device.””
He leaned forward.
“That's impossible.””
“That's what I thought.””
He picked up my phone and read the email.
Then his jaw tightened.
“Who gave you this information?””
“Denise from the competition office.””
He handed the phone back.
“She's mistaken.””
“Then explain it.””
“Nia, I have no idea what you're talking about.””
“Did you upload Brianna's entry?””
“No.””
“Did you help her submit it?””
He looked away.
That tiny movement told me more than his words.
“Dad?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Brianna asked me to help with the application.””
My stomach dropped.
“You knew?””
“I helped her create an account.””
“You knew it was my design?””
“I didn't know that.””
“You saw the dress!””
“I thought she had designed it.””
I stared at him.
“Dad, you saw me working on it for months.””
He raised his voice.
“I'm not a fashion expert! I don't know the difference between one design and another.””
“It's my handwriting in the file.””
He said nothing.
“Did you take photographs of my notebook?””
His eyes moved toward the door.
I followed his gaze.
Vanessa was standing there.
She held a folder against her chest.
“Richard, what's going on?””
I turned toward her.
“Did you help Brianna steal my design?””
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Watch your accusations.””
“Then answer the question.””
She placed the folder on his desk.
“Richard, you need to deal with this.””
Dad looked exhausted.
“Nia, your stepmother and I are trying to keep this family together.””
I laughed.
“You keep saying that as if I'm the one breaking it.””
Vanessa walked closer.
“You have no idea what Brianna has been through.””
I stared at her.
“She destroyed my dress.””
“Accidentally.””
“She stole my design.””
“That's your interpretation.””
“She used Dad's account to submit it.””
Vanessa looked at Richard.
He avoided her eyes.
Then she did something I never expected.
She opened the folder and removed a printed document.
“Here,” she said.
“Maybe this will help you understand.””
It was a copy of an agreement.
At the top was the name of my late mother, Elaine Carter.
My fingers went cold.
“What is this?””
Vanessa smiled.
“Something your father should have explained years ago.””
I read the first paragraph.
It was a trust agreement established after my mother's death.
She had left money specifically for my education.
Not just ordinary savings.
A substantial education fund.
The amount listed was $180,000.
I looked at Dad.
“What is this?””
He sat down.
“Your mother wanted you to have a choice.””
“Why didn't I know about it?””
He rubbed his face.
“Because the money was managed through a family trust.””
“Who manages it?””
Vanessa answered before he could.
“Your father.””
I looked at the document again.
There was a section describing approved educational expenses.
Fashion design was explicitly listed.
My mother had included it.
She had written a personal note in the final pages.
My daughter should never feel that her dreams are too expensive to pursue.
My eyes filled.
I had never seen those words.
Not once.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Dad looked down.
“Things were complicated.””
“What things?””
He didn't answer.
Vanessa took the document from me.
“Your father has been paying household expenses from that fund.””
I turned.
“What?””
She continued.
“Private school fees. Medical expenses. Family travel.
The house renovations. Everything has to be managed somehow.””
I looked at Dad.
“Was my education money used for those things?””
He stood.
“That's enough.””
“How much is left?””
“Nia, this is not the time.””
“How much?””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Not enough for you to behave like the only person who matters.””
I stared at her.
Then I looked at the trust statement.
The most recent balance was listed at $12,400.
My mother had left $180,000.
Only $12,400 remained.
I felt physically sick.
“Dad, where did the money go?””
He walked around the desk.
“I made decisions for this family.””
“You spent Mom's money?””
“I paid for your education.””
“You paid for Brianna's education too?””
He said nothing.
That was answer enough.
I stepped backward.
“You took money my mother left for me and used it on her?””
Vanessa's face reddened.
“Don't make it sound so ugly.””
“How else should I describe it?””
Dad's voice became stern.
“You're eighteen. The trust is under my management. You don't get to dictate how every dollar is spent.””
I looked at him.
“Then why did Mom specifically write that it was for my education?””
He didn't answer.
I took out my phone and photographed the statement.
Vanessa immediately reached for it.
“Don't you dare.””
I moved away.
“I'm keeping a copy.””
“This is a private family matter!””
“So was my dress. Apparently, that didn't stop you.””
Dad slammed his hand against the desk.
“Go upstairs.””
I stared at him.
“No.””
His expression changed.
“What did you say?””
“I said no.””
For the first time in my life, I didn't move when he ordered me to.
I gathered my things.
Then I noticed a small envelope beneath the trust documents.
It was addressed to me.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
My mother's.
I picked it up.
Vanessa immediately snatched it away.
“That doesn't belong to you.””
I stared at her.
“My name is on it.””
“Your father will give it to you when the time is right.””
I looked at Dad.
“Did you know this existed?””
He didn't answer.
Vanessa slipped it into her handbag.
I felt something inside me go very still.
“Give it back.””
“No.””
“It's addressed to me.””
“I said no.””
I took a step forward.
Dad moved between us.
“Nia, leave.””
I looked at him.
Then at the handbag.
Then at the trust agreement.
“Fine.””
I turned toward the door.
But before leaving, I said something I had never imagined saying to my father.
“You don't have to support my dream anymore. But you don't get to steal my mother's money and pretend you're protecting me.””
His face went pale.
I walked upstairs.
Maya was waiting in my bedroom.
She had been sorting the fabric while I was downstairs.
When she saw my expression, she stood.
“What happened?””
I told her everything.
She listened without interrupting.
When I finished, she took my hand.
“Nia, your mother knew.””
I looked at her.
“Knew what?””
“That you would need someone to believe in you, even when your father didn't.””
I opened my sketchbook.
A small envelope slipped from the back cover.
I hadn't noticed it before.
Inside was a handwritten note.
It was from Mrs. Alvarez.
Your mother visited my shop many years ago. She asked me to keep something safe for you until you were ready to design your first real collection.
I stared at the handwriting.
Then I turned the note over.
There was an address.
And a sentence beneath it.
Ask for the blue trunk.
Maya read it twice.
“Your mother knew Mrs. Alvarez?””
I nodded slowly.
“Apparently.””
“What do you think is inside?””
I looked at the address.
Then at the unfinished butterfly gown.
“I think it's time we find out.””
But when I called Mrs. Alvarez, she didn't sound surprised.
May you like
Instead, she whispered:
“Nia, I've been waiting eighteen years for you to call.””
