Chapter 4: What My Stepmother Had Been Hiding
I didn't sleep that night.
Every time I closed my Chapter 4: What My Stepmother Had Been Hiding
I didn't sleep that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the photograph.
Vanessa.
Standing behind my mother.
Holding a blue notebook.
By morning, I had decided to confront her eyes, I saw the photograph.
Vanessa.
Standing behind my mother.
Holding a blue notebook.
By morning, I had decided to confront her.
But I needed to be careful.
Vanessa was the kind of woman who could turn an ordinary conversation into a story in.
But I needed to be careful.
Vanessa was the kind of woman who could turn an ordinary conversation into a story in which everyone else was the villain.
At 8:30 a.m., I found her in the dining room.
She was arranging flowers in which everyone else was the villain.
At 8:30 a.m., I found her in the dining room.
She was arranging flowers in a crystal vase while watching a morning television program.
I placed my phone on the table.
“Who a crystal vase while watching a morning television program.
I placed my phone on the table.
“Who is this?””
She glanced at the photograph.
For half a second, her hand stopped moving.
Then she continued arranging the flowers.
“I don't know.””
is this?””
She glanced at the photograph.
For half a second, her hand stopped moving.
Then she continued arranging the flowers.
“I don't know.””
“That's you.””
“Is it?””
“Vanessa, you're standing behind my mother on her wedding day.””
She finally“That's you.””
“Is it?””
“Vanessa, you're standing behind my mother on her wedding day.””
She finally looked at me.
“Where did you get that?””
“Someone sent it.””
She put down looked at me.
“Where did you get that?””
“Someone sent it.””
She put down the scissors.
“You shouldn't be collecting photographs of people without understanding their history.””
“Then explain it.””
Vanessa leaned back.
“Your mother and I knew each other.””
“How?””
“We the scissors.
“You shouldn't be collecting photographs of people without understanding their history.””
“Then explain it.””
Vanessa leaned back.
“Your mother and I knew each other.””
“How?””
“We were acquainted through the bridal industry.””
“You told Dad you didn't meet him until years after his first marriage.””
“I didn't say I had never met Claire.””
were acquainted through the bridal industry.””
“You told Dad you didn't meet him until years after his first marriage.””
“I didn't say I had never met Claire.””
“You were at her wedding.””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Is that a crime?””
“No. But lying“You were at her wedding.””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Is that a crime?””
“No. But lying about it is interesting.””
Her expression hardened.
“Watch your tone.””
I slid my mother's notebook across the table.
“Do you recognize this?””
Van about it is interesting.””
Her expression hardened.
“Watch your tone.””
I slid my mother's notebook across the table.
“Do you recognize this?””
Vanessa looked down.
The color drained from her face.
Only for a second.
Then she smiled.
“It'sessa looked down.
The color drained from her face.
Only for a second.
Then she smiled.
“It's an old notebook.””
“Did you give it to Mom?””
“No.””
“Were you holding one like this in the wedding an old notebook.””
“Did you give it to Mom?””
“No.””
“Were you holding one like this in the wedding photograph?””
“I don't remember.””
“You remember everything else about my mother when it suits you.””
photograph?””
“I don't remember.””
“You remember everything else about my mother when it suits you.””
Vanessa stood.
“I'm not discussing this with you.””
She walked toward the hallway.
I followed.
“Why did youVanessa stood.
“I'm not discussing this with you.””
She walked toward the hallway.
I followed.
“Why did you tell the scholarship committee that Mom stole the lace?””
Vanessa turned sharply.
“Because it's true.””
“Then why did you look frightened when you saw that photograph?””
tell the scholarship committee that Mom stole the lace?””
Vanessa turned sharply.
“Because it's true.””
“Then why did you look frightened when you saw that photograph?””
Her eyes flashed.
“Get out of my way.””
I didn't move.
“Tell me what happened in 1998.””
She stepped closerHer eyes flashed.
“Get out of my way.””
I didn't move.
“Tell me what happened in 1998.””
She stepped closer until I could smell her perfume.
“Your mother was a talented woman, Eleanor. But talent doesn't make someone honest.””
“What until I could smell her perfume.
“Your mother was a talented woman, Eleanor. But talent doesn't make someone honest.””
“What did she do?””
Vanessa looked toward the living room.
Then she lowered her voice.
“She took something that wasn't hers.””
did she do?””
Vanessa looked toward the living room.
Then she lowered her voice.
“She took something that wasn't hers.””
“What?””
“An original embroidery design.””
I stared at her.
“Mom created the pattern.””
“You believe“What?””
“An original embroidery design.””
I stared at her.
“Mom created the pattern.””
“You believe whatever she told you.””
“Do you have proof?””
Vanessa smiled.
“Your scholarship hearing is on Monday. You'll see.””
She walked away.
I returned whatever she told you.””
“Do you have proof?””
Vanessa smiled.
“Your scholarship hearing is on Monday. You'll see.””
She walked away.
I returned upstairs, locked my door, and opened the notebook.
This time, I went through every page.
Near the middle, I found a small pocket sewn into upstairs, locked my door, and opened the notebook.
This time, I went through every page.
Near the middle, I found a small pocket sewn into the inside cover.
Something was tucked inside.
A folded piece of tracing paper.
I carefully removed it.
It was a pattern for the French lace on my mother's wedding dress.
the inside cover.
Something was tucked inside.
A folded piece of tracing paper.
I carefully removed it.
It was a pattern for the French lace on my mother's wedding dress.
The flowers, the stems, the delicate curved branches.
Everything was drawn by hand.
In the bottom-right corner wasThe flowers, the stems, the delicate curved branches.
Everything was drawn by hand.
In the bottom-right corner was my mother's signature.
Claire Bennett.
But beneath it was another name.
*Vanessa Cole.*
I stared at it.
The signature wasn't a my mother's signature.
Claire Bennett.
But beneath it was another name.
*Vanessa Cole.*
I stared at it.
The signature wasn't a signature of ownership.
It was a handwritten note:
*Vanessa's original concept, revised and completed signature of ownership.
It was a handwritten note:
Vanessa's original concept, revised and completed by Claire Bennett. August 1997.
I sat down.
Had Vanessa actually designed the original pattern?
Was my mother simply the by Claire Bennett. August 1997.*
I sat down.
Had Vanessa actually designed the original pattern?
Was my mother simply the seamstress who completed it?
I turned the paper over.
There was another sentence.
Final payment received. All commercial rights transferred to Claire Bennett.
seamstress who completed it?
I turned the paper over.
There was another sentence.
Final payment received. All commercial rights transferred to Claire Bennett.
And below that was a signature.
Vanessa's.
I read it several times.
The handwriting matched the signatureAnd below that was a signature.
Vanessa's.
I read it several times.
The handwriting matched the signature on the wedding photograph's accompanying document.
My hands began shaking.
Vanessa had once sold my mother the rights to the design on the wedding photograph's accompanying document.
My hands began shaking.
Vanessa had once sold my mother the rights to the design.
She had willingly transferred ownership.
And now, twenty-nine years later, she was claiming the opposite.
I photographed the document.
She had willingly transferred ownership.
And now, twenty-nine years later, she was claiming the opposite.
I photographed the document.
Then I called Sophie.
“Come over. Now.””
She arrived twenty minutes later.
I showed her the tracing paper.
She read it carefully.
“Wait. Vanessa designed the original pattern?””
“.
Then I called Sophie.
“Come over. Now.””
She arrived twenty minutes later.
I showed her the tracing paper.
She read it carefully.
“Wait. Vanessa designed the original pattern?””
“Apparently.””
“And she sold the rights to your mother?””
“That's what this says.””
Sophie looked at the signature.
“Can we prove it's realApparently.””
“And she sold the rights to your mother?””
“That's what this says.””
Sophie looked at the signature.
“Can we prove it's real?””
“I don't know.””
“Then we need someone who can.””
I thought about Margaret.
I called her.
She answered immediately.
“Eleanor?””
“I don't know.””
“Then we need someone who can.””
I thought about Margaret.
I called her.
She answered immediately.
“Eleanor, I found something in my mother's old files.””
My heart jumped.
“What?””
“A ledger from 199, I found something in my mother's old files.””
My heart jumped.
“What?””
“A ledger from 1997. It records a payment made to Vanessa Cole for an original embroidery concept.””
I looked at the tracing paper.
“Can you send me a copy?””
“Already7. It records a payment made to Vanessa Cole for an original embroidery concept.””
I looked at the tracing paper.
“Can you send me a copy?””
“Already did.””
My phone buzzed.
I opened the attachment.
There it was.
A dated entry.
**August 14, 1997. Vanessa Cole — did.””
My phone buzzed.
I opened the attachment.
There it was.
A dated entry.
*August 14, 1997. Vanessa Cole — Original floral embroidery concept. Rights purchased by Claire Bennett. Payment: $4,500.*
My eyes filled with tears.
Original floral embroidery concept. Rights purchased by Claire Bennett. Payment: $4,500.**
My eyes filled with tears.
“Margaret, this proves it.””
“It proves there was a transaction. But we need to establish whether the signature and the design“Margaret, this proves it.””
“It proves there was a transaction. But we need to establish whether the signature and the design match.””
“Can you testify?””
“I can bring the original ledger to the hearing.””
I exhaled.
“Thank you.””
Marg match.””
“Can you testify?””
“I can bring the original ledger to the hearing.””
I exhaled.
“Thank you.””
Margaret's voice softened.
“Eleanor, there is something else.””
“What?””
“My mother kept correspondence between herself and Claire. One letter mentions why Clairearet's voice softened.
“Eleanor, there is something else.””
“What?””
“My mother kept correspondence between herself and Claire. One letter mentions why Claire bought the design.””
I waited.
“Apparently, Vanessa was in serious financial trouble at the time. She needed money urgently. Claire paid her more than the bought the design.””
I waited.
“Apparently, Vanessa was in serious financial trouble at the time. She needed money urgently. Claire paid her more than the original pattern was worth because she believed Vanessa deserved a chance to start her own business.””
I looked at the notebook.
My mother had helped Vanessa.
original pattern was worth because she believed Vanessa deserved a chance to start her own business.””
I looked at the notebook.
My mother had helped Vanessa.
And Vanessa had repaid her by destroying the one thing she had left me.
“Do you know why theyAnd Vanessa had repaid her by destroying the one thing she had left me.
“Do you know why they stopped speaking?”” I asked.
Margaret hesitated.
“My mother mentioned a disagreement over a second design. Something stopped speaking?”” I asked.
Margaret hesitated.
“My mother mentioned a disagreement over a second design. Something Claire developed after purchasing the original pattern.””
“What design?””
“I don't know. The records are incomplete.””
I thanked Claire developed after purchasing the original pattern.””
“What design?””
“I don't know. The records are incomplete.””
I thanked her and ended the call.
Sophie was pacing beside my desk.
“This is bigger than the scholarship.””
“I know.””
“Vanessa isn't just lying about the lace. She knows her and ended the call.
Sophie was pacing beside my desk.
“This is bigger than the scholarship.””
“I know.””
“Vanessa isn't just lying about the lace. She knows exactly what happened.””
I nodded.
Then I noticed something.
The tracing paper had been folded in half.
There was a exactly what happened.””
I nodded.
Then I noticed something.
The tracing paper had been folded in half.
There was a faint indentation on the back, as though someone had written on the sheet above it.
I placed it faint indentation on the back, as though someone had written on the sheet above it.
I placed it beneath the desk lamp.
A few words became visible.
*If she ever asks for the original, give her the blue envelope beneath the desk lamp.
A few words became visible.
If she ever asks for the original, give her the blue envelope.
I looked at Sophie.
“Blue envelope?””
She pointed toward the wooden sewing box.
“Check everything.””
We emptied the box onto the bed.
Me.*
I looked at Sophie.
“Blue envelope?””
She pointed toward the wooden sewing box.
“Check everything.””
We emptied the box onto the bed.
Measuring tape. Old thread. Needles.
Photographs. Receipts.
Nothing.
Then Sophie lifted the false bottom.
Aasuring tape. Old thread. Needles.
Photographs. Receipts.
Nothing.
Then Sophie lifted the false bottom.
A small blue envelope was taped underneath.
My fingers trembled as I removed it.
My mother's handwriting was on the front.
*For Eleanor. small blue envelope was taped underneath.
My fingers trembled as I removed it.
My mother's handwriting was on the front.
For Eleanor. Only when you're ready.
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph of my mother and Vanessa standing together in front of a fashion exhibition.
They were both smiling.
Behind Only when you're ready.*
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph of my mother and Vanessa standing together in front of a fashion exhibition.
They were both smiling.
Behind them was a large display featuring a stunning embroidered evening gown.
And beneath the photograph was a letter.
*My them was a large display featuring a stunning embroidered evening gown.
And beneath the photograph was a letter.
My darling Eleanor,
If you're reading this, something has happened that I hoped would never happen.
There are things about darling Eleanor,
If you're reading this, something has happened that I hoped would never happen.
There are things about Vanessa that your father doesn't know. There are things I chose not to tell him because I believed silence would protect our family Vanessa that your father doesn't know. There are things I chose not to tell him because I believed silence would protect our family.
But silence can become a weapon in the wrong hands.
The original lace.
But silence can become a weapon in the wrong hands.
The original lace was never the most valuable thing I created.
The most valuable thing was the design that came after it.
And if Vanessa ever tries to claim that design, remember this was never the most valuable thing I created.
The most valuable thing was the design that came after it.
And if Vanessa ever tries to claim that design, remember this: the original is not in the wedding dress.
I stopped reading.
Sophie leaned closer.
“What does: the original is not in the wedding dress.*
I stopped reading.
Sophie leaned closer.
“What does that mean?””
I turned the page.
The letter continued.
*Look inside the place where I that mean?””
I turned the page.
The letter continued.
Look inside the place where I kept my wedding photographs. The truth is hidden where nobody would think to look.
I stared at the final line.
Then I remembered kept my wedding photographs. The truth is hidden where nobody would think to look.*
I stared at the final line.
Then I remembered something.
My mother had always kept her wedding photographs in a large silver frame above the fireplace.
After she died, Vanessa had insisted on replacing it with a modern something.
My mother had always kept her wedding photographs in a large silver frame above the fireplace.
After she died, Vanessa had insisted on replacing it with a modern family portrait.
The old frame had disappeared.
I ran downstairs.
“Dad!””
He appeared from the study.
“What family portrait.
The old frame had disappeared.
I ran downstairs.
“Dad!””
He appeared from the study.
“What is it?””
“Where's Mom's silver wedding frame?””
His expression changed.
“Why?””
“Where is it?””
“Where's Mom's silver wedding frame?””
His expression changed.
“Why?””
“Where is it?””
“I think Vanessa put it in the attic.””
I ran up the stairs.
The attic smelled of dust and old cardboard.
After twenty minutes of searching, I found the frame inside a broken suitcase.
The glass is it?””
“I think Vanessa put it in the attic.””
I ran up the stairs.
The attic smelled of dust and old cardboard.
After twenty minutes of searching, I found the frame inside a broken suitcase.
The glass was cracked.
But the back panel was intact.
I removed it.
A small folded document slipped out.
I unfolded it.
It was was cracked.
But the back panel was intact.
I removed it.
A small folded document slipped out.
I unfolded it.
It was a patent registration.
The title read:
*THE LAST BLOOM — ORIGINAL EMBROIDERY COMPOSITION.*
Invent a patent registration.
The title read:
*THE LAST BLOOM — ORIGINAL EMBROIDERY COMPOSITION.*
Inventor: Claire Bennett.
Registered: March 1999.
I stared at the name.
The document included a technical drawing of the exact floralor: Claire Bennett.
Registered: March 1999.
I stared at the name.
The document included a technical drawing of the exact floral design I had incorporated into my midnight-blue gown.
The design my mother had created after purchasing Vanessa's original concept.
The design Vanessa had now claimed as her own.
But design I had incorporated into my midnight-blue gown.
The design my mother had created after purchasing Vanessa's original concept.
The design Vanessa had now claimed as her own.
But there was something else.
The registration listed a second contributor.
*Vanessa Cole — Former collaborator.*
And beneath that, in my there was something else.
The registration listed a second contributor.
*Vanessa Cole — Former collaborator.*
And beneath that, in my mother's handwriting, was a note.
Vanessa knows the design was never hers. She signed the agreement herself.
I mother's handwriting, was a note.
Vanessa knows the design was never hers. She signed the agreement herself.
I was still holding the document when footsteps sounded behind me.
Vanessa stood at the attic entrance.
Her face was white.
“Give was still holding the document when footsteps sounded behind me.
Vanessa stood at the attic entrance.
Her face was white.
“Give me that.””
I stepped backward.
“No.””
Her eyes moved to the paper.
Then to the open frame.
“You me that.””
I stepped backward.
“No.””
Her eyes moved to the paper.
Then to the open frame.
“You have no idea what you're holding.””
I tightened my grip.
“I think I do.””
She came forward.
“Eleanor, listen have no idea what you're holding.””
I tightened my grip.
“I think I do.””
She came forward.
“Eleanor, listen to me. That document belongs to the family.””
“Mom's name is on it.””
“Your mother stole my work!””
“You sold to me. That document belongs to the family.””
“Mom's name is on it.””
“Your mother stole my work!””
“You sold her the original rights!””
Vanessa's face twisted.
“That was different!””
“How?””
She opened her mouth.
Then stopped.
her the original rights!””
Vanessa's face twisted.
“That was different!””
“How?””
She opened her mouth.
Then stopped.
I looked at her.
For the first time, I saw something I had never seen in her before.
FearI looked at her.
For the first time, I saw something I had never seen in her before.
Fear.
She glanced toward the stairs.
Then she said quietly:
“Your mother didn't create The Last Bloom alone.””
I froze.
“What are you talking.
She glanced toward the stairs.
Then she said quietly:
“Your mother didn't create The Last Bloom alone.””
I froze.
“What are you talking about?””
Vanessa stepped closer.
“She had help. And the person who helped her is still alive.””
My heart pounded.
“ about?””
Vanessa stepped closer.
“She had help. And the person who helped her is still alive.””
My heart pounded.
“Who?””
Vanessa looked directly into my eyes.
“Your father.””
Who?””
May you like
Vanessa looked directly into my eyes.
“Your father.””
