Chapter 3: The Photograph Nobody Was Supposed to Find
The following morning, I went downstairs before anyone else woke up.
The house was unusually quiet.
Vanessa's coffee machine was running in the kitchen. Her expensive perfume lingered in the hallway else woke up.
The house was unusually quiet.
Vanessa's coffee machine was running in the kitchen. Her expensive perfume lingered in the hallway. On the counter sat a white envelope with my name written across it.
I opened it.
Inside was a printed. On the counter sat a white envelope with my name written across it.
I opened it.
Inside was a printed document.
A formal notice from the Halston scholarship committee.
**DISPUTED OWNERSHIP REVIEW — HE document.
A formal notice from the Halston scholarship committee.
*DISPUTED OWNERSHIP REVIEW — HEARING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, 10:00 A.M.*
Below that was a list of evidence submittedARING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, 10:00 A.M.**
Below that was a list of evidence submitted by Brianna Cole.
One item caught my attention.
Historical ownership documentation relating to the original lace.
Another read by Brianna Cole.
One item caught my attention.
Historical ownership documentation relating to the original lace.
Another read:
Affidavit from Vanessa Cole regarding the Bennett family's acquisition of the garment.
I placed the paper on the counter.
Vanessa entered the kitchen wearing a silk:
Affidavit from Vanessa Cole regarding the Bennett family's acquisition of the garment.
I placed the paper on the counter.
Vanessa entered the kitchen wearing a silk dressing gown.
She stopped when she saw me.
“Why are you awake so early?””
I held up the notice.
“What's this?””
She dressing gown.
She stopped when she saw me.
“Why are you awake so early?””
I held up the notice.
“What's this?””
She glanced at it.
“Oh. The committee has finally scheduled the review.””
“You submitted an affidavit?””
“Yes.””
“About my mother's glanced at it.
“Oh. The committee has finally scheduled the review.””
“You submitted an affidavit?””
“Yes.””
“About my mother's wedding dress?””
Vanessa opened the refrigerator.
“Don't be dramatic, Eleanor.””
“You wedding dress?””
Vanessa opened the refrigerator.
“Don't be dramatic, Eleanor.””
“You're claiming Mom stole the lace?””
She removed a bottle of orange juice.
“I'm stating what I know.””
“You're claiming Mom stole the lace?””
She removed a bottle of orange juice.
“I'm stating what I know.””
“You didn't even know my mother.””
Vanessa turned.
“Actually, I knew more than you think.””
The words landed strangely.
didn't even know my mother.””
Vanessa turned.
“Actually, I knew more than you think.””
The words landed strangely.
“What does that mean?””
She poured juice into a glass.
“It means your mother wasn't the innocent woman you remember.””
I stared at her“What does that mean?””
She poured juice into a glass.
“It means your mother wasn't the innocent woman you remember.””
I stared at her.
“Don't talk about her.””
Vanessa laughed softly.
“You're twenty-two, Eleanor. It's.
“Don't talk about her.””
Vanessa laughed softly.
“You're twenty-two, Eleanor. It's time you stopped treating your mother like some kind of saint.””
I stepped closer.
“What exactly are you trying to prove?””
She placed the glass down.
“That time you stopped treating your mother like some kind of saint.””
I stepped closer.
“What exactly are you trying to prove?””
She placed the glass down.
“That Brianna deserves the scholarship.””
“By stealing my work?””
“By taking an opportunity that you were never Brianna deserves the scholarship.””
“By stealing my work?””
“By taking an opportunity that you were never going to win.””
I felt my face grow hot.
“You don't know that.””
“I know you. You hide going to win.””
I felt my face grow hot.
“You don't know that.””
“I know you. You hide in that bedroom, sewing old pieces of fabric together, while Brianna actually understands the fashion industry.””
“Then why did in that bedroom, sewing old pieces of fabric together, while Brianna actually understands the fashion industry.””
“Then why did she need my dress?””
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Because you're not the only person in this house with talent.””
She picked up her handbag she need my dress?””
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Because you're not the only person in this house with talent.””
She picked up her handbag and walked away.
I waited until I heard the front door close.
Then I returned upstairs.
I needed to know what photograph Bri and walked away.
I waited until I heard the front door close.
Then I returned upstairs.
I needed to know what photograph Brianna had submitted.
I called Margaret Laurent.
She answered after two rings.
“Eleanor. I was hoping you'd call.””
“Can you tell me whatanna had submitted.
I called Margaret Laurent.
She answered after two rings.
“Eleanor. I was hoping you'd call.””
“Can you tell me what was in that photograph?””
Margaret sighed.
“I shouldn't disclose the other applicant's confidential materials, but this was in that photograph?””
Margaret sighed.
“I shouldn't disclose the other applicant's confidential materials, but this situation is unusual enough that I think you need to understand what you're facing.””
“Please.””
“It's a wedding photograph from 1998. Your mother is wearing an ivory gown. Standing situation is unusual enough that I think you need to understand what you're facing.””
“Please.””
“It's a wedding photograph from 1998. Your mother is wearing an ivory gown. Standing beside her is a woman identified as Vanessa's grandmother.””
I frowned.
“Vanessa's grandmother?””
“Yes. According to the affidavit, beside her is a woman identified as Vanessa's grandmother.””
I frowned.
“Vanessa's grandmother?””
“Yes. According to the affidavit, the lace originally belonged to the Cole family.””
“But Mom bought it in Paris.””
“Do you have proof?””
“I found the lace originally belonged to the Cole family.””
“But Mom bought it in Paris.””
“Do you have proof?””
“I found a receipt.””
Margaret was silent for a moment.
“That's important. Keep it safe.””
I looked at the a receipt.””
Margaret was silent for a moment.
“That's important. Keep it safe.””
I looked at the notebook.
“There's also a letter addressed to my mother. Someone warned her that her work was being taken.””
“Do you have the sender's name?””
“No. Just notebook.
“There's also a letter addressed to my mother. Someone warned her that her work was being taken.””
“Do you have the sender's name?””
“No. Just initials.””
“Which initials?””
“M.L.””
Margaret's voice changed.
“Eleanor, my mother's name was Madeleine Laurent initials.””
“Which initials?””
“M.L.””
Margaret's voice changed.
“Eleanor, my mother's name was Madeleine Laurent.””
I stood completely still.
“You're saying your mother wrote the letter?””
“I don't know. But she worked with bridal designers in Boston.””
I stood completely still.
“You're saying your mother wrote the letter?””
“I don't know. But she worked with bridal designers in Boston during that period. She may have known Claire.””
“Can you ask her?””
A long pause followed.
“My mother passed away six during that period. She may have known Claire.””
“Can you ask her?””
A long pause followed.
“My mother passed away six years ago.””
I swallowed.
“I'm sorry.””
“Thank you. But I might have something else.””
“What?””
“My mother kept years ago.””
I swallowed.
“I'm sorry.””
“Thank you. But I might have something else.””
“What?””
“My mother kept old business records. If I can find the original correspondence, I may be able to establish where that lace came from.””
I closed my eyes old business records. If I can find the original correspondence, I may be able to establish where that lace came from.””
I closed my eyes.
For the first time in two days, I felt as though someone was actually listening.
“Thank you.””
“Don't.
For the first time in two days, I felt as though someone was actually listening.
“Thank you.””
“Don't thank me yet. The hearing is Monday. We need evidence, not assumptions.””
After the call, I spent the thank me yet. The hearing is Monday. We need evidence, not assumptions.””
After the call, I spent the morning photographing every page of my mother's notebook.
At noon, Sophie arrived carrying two coffees and a paper bag morning photographing every page of my mother's notebook.
At noon, Sophie arrived carrying two coffees and a paper bag of pastries.
She took one look at my face.
“You look terrible.””
“Thank you.””
“I mean it affectionately.””
She of pastries.
She took one look at my face.
“You look terrible.””
“Thank you.””
“I mean it affectionately.””
She put the coffees down.
“What happened?””
I showed her the hearing notice.
Sophie read it, then slammed put the coffees down.
“What happened?””
I showed her the hearing notice.
Sophie read it, then slammed the paper onto the desk.
“They're claiming your mother stole the lace?””
“Yes.””
“That's insane.””
“I found the receipt, but Bri the paper onto the desk.
“They're claiming your mother stole the lace?””
“Yes.””
“That's insane.””
“I found the receipt, but Brianna has a wedding photograph.””
Sophie leaned closer to the notebook.
“What's this?””
“The original receipt from Maison Laurent.””
She examined it carefully.
“Wait. Look at the date.””
anna has a wedding photograph.””
Sophie leaned closer to the notebook.
“What's this?””
“The original receipt from Maison Laurent.””
She examined it carefully.
“Wait. Look at the date.””
“September 1998.””
“Your parents got married in October, right?””
“Yes.””
“So your mother bought the“September 1998.””
“Your parents got married in October, right?””
“Yes.””
“So your mother bought the lace a month before the wedding.””
“Exactly.””
Sophie nodded.
“That's pretty good evidence.””
“Unless they claim the receipt is fake.””
lace a month before the wedding.””
“Exactly.””
Sophie nodded.
“That's pretty good evidence.””
“Unless they claim the receipt is fake.””
“Then we find the shop.””
I looked up.
“It's in Paris.””
S“Then we find the shop.””
I looked up.
“It's in Paris.””
Sophie shrugged.
“People still keep records.””
We spent the next hour searching for the store.
Maison Laurent had closed years ago, but its name appeared in several old fashion archives.ophie shrugged.
“People still keep records.””
We spent the next hour searching for the store.
Maison Laurent had closed years ago, but its name appeared in several old fashion archives. One article mentioned that the shop had supplied lace and embroidery materials to American bridal designers.
At the bottom of the article was a photograph.
A One article mentioned that the shop had supplied lace and embroidery materials to American bridal designers.
At the bottom of the article was a photograph.
A young woman stood beside a display of antique French lace.
The caption read:
Madeleine Laurent with apprentice designer Claire Bennett, 1997.
I stopped young woman stood beside a display of antique French lace.
The caption read:
Madeleine Laurent with apprentice designer Claire Bennett, 1997.
I stopped breathing.
My mother.
Standing beside Margaret's mother.
Sophie leaned over my shoulder.
“Eleanor?””
I clicked the image.
There was another breathing.
My mother.
Standing beside Margaret's mother.
Sophie leaned over my shoulder.
“Eleanor?””
I clicked the image.
There was another photograph in the article.
This one showed a group of designers at a small exhibition in Boston.
My mother stood near the center, holding a framed photograph in the article.
This one showed a group of designers at a small exhibition in Boston.
My mother stood near the center, holding a framed design.
Beneath it was the caption:
Claire Bennett's winning lace composition, inspired by traditional French floral embroidery.
I felt my throat tighten.
My design.
Beneath it was the caption:
Claire Bennett's winning lace composition, inspired by traditional French floral embroidery.
I felt my throat tighten.
My mother had been more than a talented seamstress.
She had been a designer.
And nobody had told me.
I called my father mother had been more than a talented seamstress.
She had been a designer.
And nobody had told me.
I called my father.
He answered while driving.
“Eleanor?””
“Did you know Mom had worked with Madeleine Laurent?””
The silence was.
He answered while driving.
“Eleanor?””
“Did you know Mom had worked with Madeleine Laurent?””
The silence was immediate.
“Where did you hear that name?””
I gripped the phone.
“So you knew?””
He sighed.
“Your mother used to immediate.
“Where did you hear that name?””
I gripped the phone.
“So you knew?””
He sighed.
“Your mother used to work with her.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because it was a long time ago.””
“Dad, there are photographs of Mom work with her.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because it was a long time ago.””
“Dad, there are photographs of Mom designing lace patterns. She entered competitions. She won awards.””
He said nothing.
“Why did you let designing lace patterns. She entered competitions. She won awards.””
He said nothing.
“Why did you let Vanessa tell everyone Mom stole the lace?””
“Eleanor, please.””
“Did Mom have a fight with Vanessa's family?””
My Vanessa tell everyone Mom stole the lace?””
“Eleanor, please.””
“Did Mom have a fight with Vanessa's family?””
My father finally answered.
“Your mother had a disagreement with Vanessa's grandmother.””
“About what?””
“I don't know all the details.””
“Dad!””
“Your father finally answered.
“Your mother had a disagreement with Vanessa's grandmother.””
“About what?””
“I don't know all the details.””
“Dad!””
“Your mother stopped talking about it after we got married.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then why did you marry Vanessa?””
The question slipped out before I could stop it.
My father mother stopped talking about it after we got married.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then why did you marry Vanessa?””
The question slipped out before I could stop it.
My father went quiet.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low.
“Because I thought I was doing the right thing.””
The call ended shortly afterward.
I sat on the edge of my bed.
Sophie placed a went quiet.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low.
“Because I thought I was doing the right thing.””
The call ended shortly afterward.
I sat on the edge of my bed.
Sophie placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Something is seriously wrong here.””
I nodded.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
* hand on my shoulder.
“Something is seriously wrong here.””
I nodded.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
Stop digging into your mother's past. You have no idea what you're about to uncover.
I showedStop digging into your mother's past. You have no idea what you're about to uncover.*
I showed Sophie.
She read it twice.
“Who sent this?””
“I don't know.””
Another message appeared.
This one contained an attachment Sophie.
She read it twice.
“Who sent this?””
“I don't know.””
Another message appeared.
This one contained an attachment.
It was a photograph of my mother's wedding.
The same photograph Brianna had submitted to Halston.
But this version was different.
Someone had circled a small detail.
It was a photograph of my mother's wedding.
The same photograph Brianna had submitted to Halston.
But this version was different.
Someone had circled a small detail in red.
The woman standing behind my mother was not Vanessa's grandmother.
It was Vanessa herself.
I zoom in red.
The woman standing behind my mother was not Vanessa's grandmother.
It was Vanessa herself.
I zoomed in.
She looked younger, perhaps seventeen or eighteen.
And she was holding something in her hands.
A small blue notebooked in.
She looked younger, perhaps seventeen or eighteen.
And she was holding something in her hands.
A small blue notebook.
The same kind of notebook I had found beneath my bed.
Sophie whispered, “Why would Vanessa have been at.
The same kind of notebook I had found beneath my bed.
Sophie whispered, “Why would Vanessa have been at your mother's wedding?””
I stared at the screen.
Because there was one more thing I had noticed.
The photograph had been your mother's wedding?””
I stared at the screen.
Because there was one more thing I had noticed.
The photograph had been taken in October 1998.
Vanessa had always claimed she didn't meet my father until years later.
But she had been standing behind taken in October 1998.
Vanessa had always claimed she didn't meet my father until years later.
But she had been standing behind my mother on the day she married him.
And she had been holding a notebook that looked exactly like the one my mother had left me.
May you like
## my mother on the day she married him.
And she had been holding a notebook that looked exactly like the one my mother had left me.
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