Chapter 5: My Father's Secret## Chapter 5: My Father's Secret
For a
For a moment, I thought I had misunderstood her.
“My father?””
Vanessa nodded.
moment, I thought I had misunderstood her.
“My father?””
Vanessa nodded.
“Ask him.””
I looked down at the patent registration in my hands.
“Ask him.””
I looked down at the patent registration in my hands.
My father's name wasn't anywhere on it.
“Why would Dad help Mom design embroidery?””
Vanessa gaveMy father's name wasn't anywhere on it.
“Why would Dad help Mom design embroidery?””
Vanessa gave a bitter laugh.
“Because your father was a different man before he married Claire.””
I shook my head.
“He doesn't know anything about fashion a bitter laugh.
“Because your father was a different man before he married Claire.””
I shook my head.
“He doesn't know anything about fashion.””
“You'd be surprised.””
She reached for the document.
I pulled it away.
“Don't touch it.””
Her expression changed instantly.
“You.””
“You'd be surprised.””
She reached for the document.
I pulled it away.
“Don't touch it.””
Her expression changed instantly.
“You're making a terrible mistake, Eleanor.””
“No. I think my mother made a mistake trusting you're making a terrible mistake, Eleanor.””
“No. I think my mother made a mistake trusting you.””
Vanessa's face reddened.
“Your mother was not the woman you think she was.””
“And you're not the woman you pretend.””
Vanessa's face reddened.
“Your mother was not the woman you think she was.””
“And you're not the woman you pretend to be.””
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then Vanessa stepped aside.
“Fine to be.””
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then Vanessa stepped aside.
“Fine. Keep your little piece of paper. But don't expect your father to support you when you discover what he did.””
I. Keep your little piece of paper. But don't expect your father to support you when you discover what he did.””
I walked past her.
My father was downstairs, sitting in the living room with a newspaper spread across his knees.
I placed the walked past her.
My father was downstairs, sitting in the living room with a newspaper spread across his knees.
I placed the patent registration on the coffee table.
“What's this?””
He glanced down.
His expression changed.
“Where did you find that?””
“In Mom's wedding frame.””
He folded the newspaper.
“Eleanor, you shouldn't have gone through those things.””
“Why is your name connected patent registration on the coffee table.
“What's this?””
He glanced down.
His expression changed.
“Where did you find that?””
“In Mom's wedding frame.””
He folded the newspaper.
“Eleanor, you shouldn't have gone through those things.””
“Why is your name connected to The Last Bloom?””
He looked at Vanessa, who had followed me downstairs.
She crossed her arms.
“Tell her, Richard to The Last Bloom?””
He looked at Vanessa, who had followed me downstairs.
She crossed her arms.
“Tell her, Richard.””
My father stood.
“Not now.””
“When, then?”” Vanessa demanded.
“After she takes everything to that.””
My father stood.
“Not now.””
“When, then?”” Vanessa demanded.
“After she takes everything to that scholarship hearing?””
I turned toward him.
“Dad, did you help Mom create this design?””
He stared at the document for scholarship hearing?””
I turned toward him.
“Dad, did you help Mom create this design?””
He stared at the document for a long time.
Then he nodded.
“Yes.””
The answer was so quiet I almost missed it.
I pulled out a chair.
“Tell a long time.
Then he nodded.
“Yes.””
The answer was so quiet I almost missed it.
I pulled out a chair.
“Tell me everything.””
My father sat opposite me.
For a moment, he looked toward the fireplace, where my mother's silver frame me everything.””
My father sat opposite me.
For a moment, he looked toward the fireplace, where my mother's silver frame had once stood.
“Your mother and I met when I was working as a commercial photographer,” he began.
“She had once stood.
“Your mother and I met when I was working as a commercial photographer,” he began.
“She was designing pieces for a bridal exhibition. I was hired to photograph the collection.””
He smiled faintly.
“She was difficult.””
was designing pieces for a bridal exhibition. I was hired to photograph the collection.””
He smiled faintly.
“She was difficult.””
I frowned.
“Mom?””
“Very. She would reject an entire photograph because the lighting didn't show the texture of the lace correctlyI frowned.
“Mom?””
“Very. She would reject an entire photograph because the lighting didn't show the texture of the lace correctly.””
Despite everything, I smiled.
“That sounds like her.””
“She cared about every little detail. We started talking.””
Despite everything, I smiled.
“That sounds like her.””
“She cared about every little detail. We started talking. Then I began helping her photograph her designs. Eventually, we fell in love.””
He picked up the patent registration. Then I began helping her photograph her designs. Eventually, we fell in love.””
He picked up the patent registration.
“Vanessa was working with your mother at the time. She had designed a floral embroidery pattern, but she wasn't particularly good at developing it into a finished collection. Your mother purchased the rights and transformed it.
“Vanessa was working with your mother at the time. She had designed a floral embroidery pattern, but she wasn't particularly good at developing it into a finished collection. Your mother purchased the rights and transformed it into something extraordinary.””
Vanessa interrupted.
“She changed my original work.””
My father turned toward her.
“She developed it.””
“You into something extraordinary.””
Vanessa interrupted.
“She changed my original work.””
My father turned toward her.
“She developed it.””
“You're taking her side again?””
“I'm telling the truth.””
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“Of course you are.””
I looked're taking her side again?””
“I'm telling the truth.””
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“Of course you are.””
I looked between them.
“What happened after that?””
My father sighed.
“Claire developed a new technique for layering the embroidery. She between them.
“What happened after that?””
My father sighed.
“Claire developed a new technique for layering the embroidery. She called it The Last Bloom. I photographed the entire process, including the original sketches and the finished pieces.””
“Then why was your name never included called it The Last Bloom. I photographed the entire process, including the original sketches and the finished pieces.””
“Then why was your name never included?””
“Because I wasn't the designer. I was helping document the work.””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Vanessa wanted to be involved in?””
“Because I wasn't the designer. I was helping document the work.””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Vanessa wanted to be involved in the new collection. Claire refused because the agreement had already transferred the original design rights.””
Vanessa stepped forward.
“She promised the new collection. Claire refused because the agreement had already transferred the original design rights.””
Vanessa stepped forward.
“She promised me a share of the profits.””
My father looked at her.
“She paid you for the original pattern.””
“That wasn't the point!””
“Then me a share of the profits.””
My father looked at her.
“She paid you for the original pattern.””
“That wasn't the point!””
“Then what was the point?”” I demanded.
Vanessa turned toward me.
“You wouldn't understand.””
“Try me.””
She took a deep breath.
“Your mother had what was the point?”” I demanded.
Vanessa turned toward me.
“You wouldn't understand.””
“Try me.””
She took a deep breath.
“Your mother had everything. A husband who adored her. A beautiful daughter. A business that was beginning to attract attention everything.
A husband who adored her. A beautiful daughter. A business that was beginning to attract attention. And she still insisted on controlling every part of her work.””
I stared at her.
“So you were jealous?””
Vanessa. And she still insisted on controlling every part of her work.””
I stared at her.
“So you were jealous?””
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
“I was ambitious.””
“You sold her the rights.””
“I was young!””
“You were an's jaw tightened.
“I was ambitious.””
“You sold her the rights.””
“I was young!””
“You were an adult.””
She slapped her palm against the coffee table.
“Enough!””
My father stood.
“Vanessa, stop.””
She pointed at him.
“You have adult.””
She slapped her palm against the coffee table.
“Enough!””
My father stood.
“Vanessa, stop.””
She pointed at him.
“You have no right to judge me. You helped her too!””
“I helped my wife.””
“And what did you do when she no right to judge me. You helped her too!””
“I helped my wife.””
“And what did you do when she died?””
The room fell silent.
Vanessa looked at me.
“Do you know why your father married me?””
I turned toward him.
He died?””
The room fell silent.
Vanessa looked at me.
“Do you know why your father married me?””
I turned toward him.
He didn't answer.
Vanessa continued.
“Because I was there when Claire was dying. I helped him arrange the funeral didn't answer.
Vanessa continued.
“Because I was there when Claire was dying. I helped him arrange the funeral. I helped him keep the house running. I helped him take care of you.””
“That's not true,” I whispered.
“Oh, it is. And. I helped him keep the house running. I helped him take care of you.””
“That's not true,” I whispered.
“Oh, it is. And I never asked for anything in return.””
I stared at the woman who had spent years making me feel like an unwanted guest in my own home.
“You asked I never asked for anything in return.””
I stared at the woman who had spent years making me feel like an unwanted guest in my own home.
“You asked for my mother's wedding dress.””
Vanessa smiled without warmth.
“I didn't need to ask. Brianna deserved it more.””
I felt something tighten for my mother's wedding dress.””
Vanessa smiled without warmth.
“I didn't need to ask. Brianna deserved it more.””
I felt something tighten in my chest.
“Why?””
“Because she understands how the world works.””
My father stepped between us.
“Van in my chest.
“Why?””
“Because she understands how the world works.””
My father stepped between us.
“Vanessa, go upstairs.””
She laughed.
“Fine. But remember what I told you, Eleanor. Your mother leftessa, go upstairs.””
She laughed.
“Fine. But remember what I told you, Eleanor. Your mother left behind more than a dress.””
She walked out of the room.
I turned toward my father.
“What does behind more than a dress.””
She walked out of the room.
I turned toward my father.
“What does she mean?””
He sat down slowly.
“There was a second collection.””
I waited.
“After The Last Bloom, your mother developed she mean?””
He sat down slowly.
“There was a second collection.””
I waited.
“After The Last Bloom, your mother developed an entire series of evening gowns using the embroidery technique. It was never released commercially. She planned to launch it under her an entire series of evening gowns using the embroidery technique.
It was never released commercially. She planned to launch it under her own label.””
“Why didn't she?””
My father looked down.
“Because someone stole the collection before it could be finished.””
My stomach dropped.
“Who?””
He own label.””
“Why didn't she?””
My father looked down.
“Because someone stole the collection before it could be finished.””
My stomach dropped.
“Who?””
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, “We never proved who did it.””
“Was it Vanessa?””
“Claire didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, “We never proved who did it.””
“Was it Vanessa?””
“Claire suspected her. But she had no evidence.””
I looked at the patent document.
“Is that why Mom kept everything?””
“Yes.””
“Where suspected her. But she had no evidence.””
I looked at the patent document.
“Is that why Mom kept everything?””
“Yes.””
“Where are the designs now?””
My father looked toward the staircase.
“I don't know.””
I stood.
“Dad, I need you are the designs now?””
My father looked toward the staircase.
“I don't know.””
I stood.
“Dad, I need you to tell me something.””
He looked up.
“Did Vanessa know about my scholarship application?””
“Yes.””
“Did you give her my to tell me something.””
He looked up.
“Did Vanessa know about my scholarship application?””
“Yes.””
“Did you give her my password?””
His face fell.
“I didn't know what she intended to do.””
“That's not an answer.””
He closed password?””
His face fell.
“I didn't know what she intended to do.””
“That's not an answer.””
He closed his eyes.
“She asked me to help her access the competition portal. She said Brianna wanted to see your application because she was thinking about entering his eyes.
“She asked me to help her access the competition portal. She said Brianna wanted to see your application because she was thinking about entering.””
I felt my stomach turn.
“And you gave her my password?””
“I thought you knew.””
“I didn't!””
“I know that now.””
I walked toward the window.
Outside.””
I felt my stomach turn.
“And you gave her my password?””
“I thought you knew.””
“I didn't!””
“I know that now.””
I walked toward the window.
Outside, the garden was still wet from the previous night's rain.
My mother's rose bushes stood beside the fence. Vanessa had tried to, the garden was still wet from the previous night's rain.
My mother's rose bushes stood beside the fence. Vanessa had tried to remove them twice, but Dad had always refused.
I looked at him.
“Did you know they were going to withdraw my remove them twice, but Dad had always refused.
I looked at him.
“Did you know they were going to withdraw my application?””
“No.””
“Did you know Brianna was going to claim my dress?””
“No.””
“Then why did you tell me to withdraw my complaint?””
He didn't answer.
I turned around application?””
“No.””
“Did you know Brianna was going to claim my dress?””
“No.””
“Then why did you tell me to withdraw my complaint?””
He didn't answer.
I turned around.
“Because you're afraid of Vanessa?””
My father looked older than I had ever seen him.
“Because I'm afraid of losing.
“Because you're afraid of Vanessa?””
My father looked older than I had ever seen him.
“Because I'm afraid of losing another person I love.””
The words stopped me.
He reached into his pocket and removed a another person I love.””
The words stopped me.
He reached into his pocket and removed a small envelope.
“I should have given you this a long time ago.””
I took it.
Inside was a photograph of my mother small envelope.
“I should have given you this a long time ago.””
I took it.
Inside was a photograph of my mother sitting at her sewing machine.
She was smiling.
Beside her stood my father, holding a camera.
On the desk was a midnight-blue sketch.
I recognized the silhouette sitting at her sewing machine.
She was smiling.
Beside her stood my father, holding a camera.
On the desk was a midnight-blue sketch.
I recognized the silhouette immediately.
My gown.
But the photograph was dated almost thirty years earlier.
I looked closer.
The sketch immediately.
My gown.
But the photograph was dated almost thirty years earlier.
I looked closer.
The sketch had the same sculpted waist, the same open back, and the same flowing skirt.
Only the lace placement was different.
“Dad,” I whispered.
“What's this?””
He swallowed had the same sculpted waist, the same open back, and the same flowing skirt.
Only the lace placement was different.
“Dad,” I whispered.
“What's this?””
He swallowed.
“Your mother had been experimenting with that silhouette for years. She never finished the design.””
I stared at him.
.
“Your mother had been experimenting with that silhouette for years. She never finished the design.””
I stared at him.
“Then how did I make almost the exact same dress?””
“Because she left you her notebooks.””
“Then how did I make almost the exact same dress?””
“Because she left you her notebooks.””
I looked down at the photograph again.
My mother had drawn the design.
And somehow, without knowing it, I had completed itI looked down at the photograph again.
My mother had drawn the design.
And somehow, without knowing it, I had completed it.
My throat tightened.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I thought you should discover your own style.””
I sat beside him.
For a few moments, neither of us spoke.
Then he reached for the photograph.
“There's something else I need to tell you about the.
My throat tightened.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I thought you should discover your own style.””
I sat beside him.
For a few moments, neither of us spoke.
Then he reached for the photograph.
“There's something else I need to tell you about the scholarship.””
“What?””
“The committee called me yesterday.””
My head snapped up.
“What did they want?””
“They asked whether I could confirm that you scholarship.””
“What?””
“The committee called me yesterday.””
My head snapped up.
“What did they want?””
“They asked whether I could confirm that you had voluntarily transferred the design rights.””
“And what did you say?””
“I told them I couldn't.””
I exhal had voluntarily transferred the design rights.””
“And what did you say?””
“I told them I couldn't.””
I exhaled.
“Good.””
He hesitated.
“Eleanor, they also asked about the original photographs of your mother's collection.””
“Why?””
ed.
“Good.””
He hesitated.
“Eleanor, they also asked about the original photographs of your mother's collection.””
“Why?””
“Because someone submitted a photograph claiming the blue gown was based on an unpublished design belonging to Vanessa.””
I stared at him.
“But the sketch was Mom's.””
“I“Because someone submitted a photograph claiming the blue gown was based on an unpublished design belonging to Vanessa.””
I stared at him.
“But the sketch was Mom's.””
“I know.””
“Then we can prove it.””
He shook his head.
“There's a problem.””
“What problem?””
“The photograph Vanessa know.””
“Then we can prove it.””
He shook his head.
“There's a problem.””
“What problem?””
“The photograph Vanessa submitted wasn't taken recently. It's from the original collection.””
I frowned.
“Then how does she have it?””
My father looked toward the hallway.
“ submitted wasn't taken recently. It's from the original collection.””
I frowned.
“Then how does she have it?””
My father looked toward the hallway.
“Because the collection was stolen from your mother twenty years ago.””
I felt a chill move down my spine.
He continued.
“Claire keptBecause the collection was stolen from your mother twenty years ago.””
I felt a chill move down my spine.
He continued.
“Claire kept the original designs in a locked cabinet. One day, the cabinet was empty. She confronted Vanessa, but Vanessa denied knowing anything about the original designs in a locked cabinet.
One day, the cabinet was empty. She confronted Vanessa, but Vanessa denied knowing anything about it.””
“And you believed Mom?””
“Of course.””
“Then why didn't you report it?””
“Claire begged me not to. She was it.””
“And you believed Mom?””
“Of course.””
“Then why didn't you report it?””
“Claire begged me not to. She was afraid the dispute would destroy her business.””
I stared at the photograph in my hands.
My mother had lost an entire collection.
afraid the dispute would destroy her business.””
I stared at the photograph in my hands.
My mother had lost an entire collection.
And now Vanessa was using pieces of that stolen work to attack me.
I stood.
“I'm going to the hearing.””
My father nodded.
“I'm coming with you.””
For the first time in days, I feltAnd now Vanessa was using pieces of that stolen work to attack me.
I stood.
“I'm going to the hearing.””
My father nodded.
“I'm coming with you.””
For the first time in days, I felt that perhaps I wasn't fighting alone.
But the feeling didn't last long.
At 6:42 that perhaps I wasn't fighting alone.
But the feeling didn't last long.
At 6:42 p.m., my phone rang.
It was Margaret Laurent.
“Eleanor, I've found the original correspondence,” she said.
My heart lifted.
“The letter from your mother?””
“Yes. And something much p.m., my phone rang.
It was Margaret Laurent.
“Eleanor, I've found the original correspondence,” she said.
My heart lifted.
“The letter from your mother?””
“Yes. And something much more important.””
“What?””
“My mother kept a copy of the agreement Claire signed with Vanessa. The original design rights were transferred permanently. There is no ambiguity more important.””
“What?””
“My mother kept a copy of the agreement Claire signed with Vanessa. The original design rights were transferred permanently. There is no ambiguity.””
I closed my eyes.
“That's exactly what we need.””
“There's another document attached.””
“What document?””
“A.””
I closed my eyes.
“That's exactly what we need.””
“There's another document attached.””
“What document?””
“A photograph from the day the agreement was signed.””
I opened my email.
An attachment appeared.
It showed my mother sitting at a desk photograph from the day the agreement was signed.””
I opened my email.
An attachment appeared.
It showed my mother sitting at a desk with Vanessa beside her.
Both women were holding a document.
But someone had written a note across the bottom.
*Final transfer of rights. No with Vanessa beside her.
Both women were holding a document.
But someone had written a note across the bottom.
Final transfer of rights. No future claims permitted.
And beneath it were two signatures.
Claire Bennett.
Vanessa Cole.
I zoomed in.
The signatures were clear future claims permitted.*
And beneath it were two signatures.
Claire Bennett.
Vanessa Cole.
I zoomed in.
The signatures were clear.
Then Margaret spoke again.
“Eleanor, I think you should look at the date on that photograph.””
I did.
August.
Then Margaret spoke again.
“Eleanor, I think you should look at the date on that photograph.””
I did.
August 14, 1997.
Exactly the date recorded in the original ledger.
I smiled for the first time that day.
“We have her 14, 1997.
Exactly the date recorded in the original ledger.
I smiled for the first time that day.
“We have her.””
Margaret's voice became serious.
“Not yet. There's something else you need to know.””
“What?””
“The second collection was registered under a different name.””
I.””
Margaret's voice became serious.
“Not yet. There's something else you need to know.””
“What?””
“The second collection was registered under a different name.””
I leaned closer to the phone.
“What name?””
Margaret took a breath.
“Brianna Cole.””
My blood ran cold.
“That's impossible. Bri leaned closer to the phone.
“What name?””
Margaret took a breath.
“Brianna Cole.””
My blood ran cold.
“That's impossible. Brianna was a child.””
“Exactly.””
I looked at my father.
He had heard the name.
His face turned completelyanna was a child.””
“Exactly.””
I looked at my father.
He had heard the name.
His face turned completely white.
Then Margaret said the words that shattered everything I thought I knew.
“Eleanor, the records show that Brianna white.
Then Margaret said the words that shattered everything I thought I knew.
“Eleanor, the records show that Brianna's name was placed on the collection's ownership documents when she was only three years's name was placed on the collection's ownership documents when she was only three years old.””
I gripped the phone.
“Who signed them?””
There was a long silence.
Then Margaret answered.
“Your father.””
I slowly turned toward him old.””
I gripped the phone.
“Who signed them?””
There was a long silence.
Then Margaret answered.
“Your father.””
I slowly turned toward him.
He stood in the middle of the living room, staring at me.
And for the first time in my life, my father looked like a stranger.
**Because.
He stood in the middle of the living room, staring at me.
May you like
And for the first time in my life, my father looked like a stranger.
*Because if he had signed away my mother's collection, then the person helping Brianna steal my future might if he had signed away my mother's collection, then the person helping Brianna steal my future might have been the person who had helped create it. have been the person who had helped create it.*
