Chapter 6: The Secret Behind the Seventeen-Year## Chapter 6: The Secret Behind the Seventeen-Year Search
The message arrived at 12:07 a.m.
Ask Adrian why he waited seventeen years.
I Search
The message arrived at 12:07 a.m.
Ask Adrian why he waited seventeen years.
I stared at the photograph until my eyes began stared at the photograph until my eyes began to hurt.
My father stood outside a hospital entrance, one hand resting on the shoulder of a younger Adrian Vale. Both men looked exhausted to hurt.
My father stood outside a hospital entrance, one hand resting on the shoulder of a younger Adrian Vale. Both men looked exhausted. Behind them, a nurse pushed a wheelchair through the automatic doors.
In the bottom corner, a date had. Behind them, a nurse pushed a wheelchair through the automatic doors.
In the bottom corner, a date had been printed in faded black ink.
The day I disappeared.
I zoomed in on Adrian's face.
He wasn't smiling. His been printed in faded black ink.
The day I disappeared.
I zoomed in on Adrian's face.
He wasn't smiling. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes were fixed on something outside the frame. My father looked furious, as jaw was clenched, and his eyes were fixed on something outside the frame. My father looked furious, as though someone had just told him something he couldn't accept.
I called Adrian.
He answered almost immediately.
“Nia? though someone had just told him something he couldn't accept.
I called Adrian.
He answered almost immediately.
“Nia? What's happened?””
I sent him the photograph.
For several seconds, I heard nothing but his breathing.
Then he said What's happened?””
I sent him the photograph.
For several seconds, I heard nothing but his breathing.
Then he said, “Where did you get this?””
“Someone sent it to me. They told me to ask why you waited seventeen years.””
His silence, “Where did you get this?””
“Someone sent it to me. They told me to ask why you waited seventeen years.””
His silence hurt more than an immediate denial would have.
“You knew,” I whispered.
“You knew what happened that night hurt more than an immediate denial would have.
“You knew,” I whispered.
“You knew what happened that night.””
“I knew part of it.””
“What does that mean?””
“It means I was there when the hospital reported you missing. I.””
“I knew part of it.””
“What does that mean?””
“It means I was there when the hospital reported you missing. I spent the following days searching for you. Your father and I questioned everyone we could reach, but the records had been altered, and spent the following days searching for you. Your father and I questioned everyone we could reach, but the records had been altered, and the people responsible had disappeared.””
“Then why didn't you find me?””
“Because the trail ended the people responsible had disappeared.””
“Then why didn't you find me?””
“Because the trail ended.””
“You're one of the most powerful men in fashion. You have money, lawyers, investigators. You're telling me you couldn't find one.””
“You're one of the most powerful men in fashion. You have money, lawyers, investigators. You're telling me you couldn't find one little girl?””
“I am telling you that I tried.””
His voice cracked on the last word.
I pressed the phone harder little girl?””
“I am telling you that I tried.””
His voice cracked on the last word.
I pressed the phone harder against my ear.
“Then tell me everything.””
There was a long pause.
“Tomorrow,” he said.
“After your against my ear.
“Then tell me everything.””
There was a long pause.
“Tomorrow,” he said.
“After your competition, I'll show you the remaining records. You deserve to see them in person.””
“No. I've spent competition, I'll show you the remaining records. You deserve to see them in person.””
“No. I've spent my entire life being told that I wasn't old enough to understand things. I'm done waiting.””
“I understand.””
“Do my entire life being told that I wasn't old enough to understand things. I'm done waiting.””
“I understand.””
“Do you? Because I don't know whether you're helping me or using me to finish something you started seventeen you? Because I don't know whether you're helping me or using me to finish something you started seventeen years ago.””
“You have every right to question me.””
“Then answer the question.””
He exhaled slowly.
years ago.””
“You have every right to question me.””
“Then answer the question.””
He exhaled slowly.
“Your father asked me to protect you. When you disappeared, I failed him. I've spent seventeen years trying“Your father asked me to protect you.
When you disappeared, I failed him. I've spent seventeen years trying to correct that failure.””
“That's not an answer.””
“No,” he admitted.
“It isn't. But I won't lie to you to make myself look to correct that failure.””
“That's not an answer.””
“No,” he admitted.
“It isn't. But I won't lie to you to make myself look better.””
I looked at the broken trophy beside my bed.
“I'm going to compete tomorrow.””
“I know.””
“And after that, I want better.””
I looked at the broken trophy beside my bed.
“I'm going to compete tomorrow.””
“I know.””
“And after that, I want every document you have.””
“You'll have them.””
I ended the call before he could say anything else.
For several minutes, I sat every document you have.””
“You'll have them.””
I ended the call before he could say anything else.
For several minutes, I sat motionless, listening to the house settle around me.
Then I photographed the broken trophy, the forced compartment, and the fragments of wood scattered across my desk motionless, listening to the house settle around me.
Then I photographed the broken trophy, the forced compartment, and the fragments of wood scattered across my desk. I saved everything in three places and sent the images to Rebecca Shaw.
. I saved everything in three places and sent the images to Rebecca Shaw.
Her reply arrived almost immediately.
*Do not discard any fragments. I will arrange for an independent examination.Her reply arrived almost immediately.
Do not discard any fragments. I will arrange for an independent examination. The damage itself may be evidence.
I looked at the ruined trophy.
Vanessa had tried to destroy The damage itself may be evidence.*
I looked at the ruined trophy.
Vanessa had tried to destroy the only thing that might explain what happened to my mother.
Instead, she had given me another reason to stop being afraid of her.
I wrapped the fragments in a clean cloth and placed them inside a box.
Then I turned the only thing that might explain what happened to my mother.
Instead, she had given me another reason to stop being afraid of her.
I wrapped the fragments in a clean cloth and placed them inside a box.
Then I turned toward the red gown.
Tomorrow, I would wear it.
No matter what happened.
At six in the morning, I found Vanessa in toward the red gown.
Tomorrow, I would wear it.
No matter what happened.
At six in the morning, I found Vanessa in the kitchen preparing coffee.
She wore a white blouse and tailored trousers. Her hair was perfectly arranged, and her the kitchen preparing coffee.
She wore a white blouse and tailored trousers. Her hair was perfectly arranged, and her pearl necklace rested against her throat as though the previous night's destruction had been an ordinary household inconvenience.
B pearl necklace rested against her throat as though the previous night's destruction had been an ordinary household inconvenience.
Brianna sat at the island, scrolling through photographs of Winter's Promise.
Neither looked at me when I entered.
I set the box containing the trophy fragments on therianna sat at the island, scrolling through photographs of Winter's Promise.
Neither looked at me when I entered.
I set the box containing the trophy fragments on the counter.
Vanessa glanced at it.
“Why are you carrying rubbish into the kitchen?””
“Because it belonged to my father.””
“Your father would counter.
Vanessa glanced at it.
“Why are you carrying rubbish into the kitchen?””
“Because it belonged to my father.””
“Your father would be embarrassed by this obsession.””
I opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water be embarrassed by this obsession.””
I opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water.
“No,” I said.
“He would be embarrassed by what you did to it.””
Brianna lowered her phone.
“.
“No,” I said.
“He would be embarrassed by what you did to it.””
Brianna lowered her phone.
“Are you still talking about that stupid trophy?””
I turned toward her.
“You smashed it with a fireplace poker.””
“It slippedAre you still talking about that stupid trophy?””
I turned toward her.
“You smashed it with a fireplace poker.””
“It slipped.””
“From your hand?””
Her cheeks flushed.
Vanessa set down her coffee cup.
“That's enough. We have a competition to attend, and.””
“From your hand?””
Her cheeks flushed.
Vanessa set down her coffee cup.
“That's enough. We have a competition to attend, and I will not have you making accusations in public.””
“Then don't give me I will not have you making accusations in public.””
“Then don't give me reasons to.””
Her eyes narrowed.
For a moment, I thought she would strike me again.
Instead, she opened a drawer and removed a folded envelope.
“Your father reasons to.””
Her eyes narrowed.
For a moment, I thought she would strike me again.
Instead, she opened a drawer and removed a folded envelope.
“Your father left behind debts,” she said.
“You should be grateful I have spent years managing them.””
I stared at her.
“What debts?””
“Expenses you know left behind debts,” she said.
“You should be grateful I have spent years managing them.””
I stared at her.
“What debts?””
“Expenses you know nothing about.””
“Show me the records.””
She slipped the envelope back into the drawer.
“You are not entitled to examine every private financial document in this household nothing about.””
“Show me the records.””
She slipped the envelope back into the drawer.
“You are not entitled to examine every private financial document in this household.””
“Rebecca Shaw says I am entitled to examine the trust accounts.””
Vanessa went still.
Brianna looked between us.
“.””
“Rebecca Shaw says I am entitled to examine the trust accounts.””
Vanessa went still.
Brianna looked between us.
“Who's Rebecca Shaw?””
“An attorney,” I said.
Vanessa's expression turned cold.
“Your new friends have made you very arrogant.””
“NoWho's Rebecca Shaw?””
“An attorney,” I said.
Vanessa's expression turned cold.
“Your new friends have made you very arrogant.””
“No. They've made me ask questions.””
I picked up the box and headed toward the stairs.
Behind me, Vanessa spoke in a voice so quiet that I almost. They've made me ask questions.””
I picked up the box and headed toward the stairs.
Behind me, Vanessa spoke in a voice so quiet that I almost missed it.
“You have no idea what your father left you.””
I stopped.
When I turned around, she was looking directly missed it.
“You have no idea what your father left you.””
I stopped.
When I turned around, she was looking directly at me.
“Then explain it.””
She lifted her coffee cup.
“Go get dressed, Nia.””
at me.
“Then explain it.””
She lifted her coffee cup.
“Go get dressed, Nia.””
That was when I knew she was frightened.
Not of my dress.
Not of the competition.
Of what I might discover if I keptThat was when I knew she was frightened.
Not of my dress.
Not of the competition.
Of what I might discover if I kept asking.
By ten o'clock, the National Couture Talent Championship auditorium was full.
Reporters lined the entrance. Designers carried garment asking.
By ten o'clock, the National Couture Talent Championship auditorium was full.
Reporters lined the entrance. Designers carried garment bags through the backstage corridors. Assistants rushed between dressing rooms with needles, steamers, and emergency bags through the backstage corridors. Assistants rushed between dressing rooms with needles, steamers, and emergency sewing kits.
The air smelled of hairspray, hot fabric, and expensive perfume.
I arrived carrying the Phoenix sewing kits.
The air smelled of hairspray, hot fabric, and expensive perfume.
I arrived carrying the Phoenix Garden in its protective bag.
Mrs. Alvarez was waiting beside the registration desk.
When she saw the bandage Garden in its protective bag.
Mrs. Alvarez was waiting beside the registration desk.
When she saw the bandage around my fingers, her face tightened.
“What happened?””
“An accident.””
She studied me.
“An accident with a fireplace around my fingers, her face tightened.
“What happened?””
“An accident.””
She studied me.
“An accident with a fireplace poker?””
I stared at her.
“Adrian told you?””
“Rebecca did. She's arranging for the trophy to be examined.””
I looked toward the auditorium poker?””
I stared at her.
“Adrian told you?””
“Rebecca did. She's arranging for the trophy to be examined.””
I looked toward the auditorium.
“Do you think they'll believe me?””
Mrs. Alvarez placed both hands on my shoulders.
“Nia, I watched you create that first.
“Do you think they'll believe me?””
Mrs. Alvarez placed both hands on my shoulders.
“Nia, I watched you create that first gown. I watched you sew those flowers one stitch at a time. Anyone who examines the evidence gown.
I watched you sew those flowers one stitch at a time. Anyone who examines the evidence honestly will see the truth.””
“And if they don't?””
“Then you will still be the girl who made something extraordinary honestly will see the truth.””
“And if they don't?””
“Then you will still be the girl who made something extraordinary with almost nothing.””
She squeezed my shoulders.
“Never let a room full of strangers with almost nothing.””
She squeezed my shoulders.
“Never let a room full of strangers decide whether your talent exists.””
I nodded, though my throat had tightened.
Then I saw Adrian standing near the entrance to the backstage corridor decide whether your talent exists.””
I nodded, though my throat had tightened.
Then I saw Adrian standing near the entrance to the backstage corridor.
He wasn't surrounded by assistants or reporters. He wore a simple black suit and held a thin folder beneath one.
He wasn't surrounded by assistants or reporters. He wore a simple black suit and held a thin folder beneath one arm.
When our eyes met, he didn't approach.
He waited.
I walked toward him.
“Do you have the records?””
“Yes.””
“Then show me.””
He opened the folder.
Inside were copies of hospital reports, letters from arm.
When our eyes met, he didn't approach.
He waited.
I walked toward him.
“Do you have the records?””
“Yes.””
“Then show me.””
He opened the folder.
Inside were copies of hospital reports, letters from my father, and a photograph of a small silver bird pendant.
The same pendant I had seen in the velvet box.
He my father, and a photograph of a small silver bird pendant.
The same pendant I had seen in the velvet box.
He turned to a page marked with a yellow tab.
“This is the last statement your father gave to the investigator before he turned to a page marked with a yellow tab.
“This is the last statement your father gave to the investigator before he died.””
I read the first line.
*I believe my daughter was moved under a false identity. I believe the died.””
I read the first line.
I believe my daughter was moved under a false identity. I believe the person responsible had access to her medical records and knew the family.
My hands began to shake.
“Who did he suspect person responsible had access to her medical records and knew the family.*
My hands began to shake.
“Who did he suspect?””
Adrian looked at me.
“Vanessa.””
The name seemed to drain the warmth from the corridor.
I read the next page?””
Adrian looked at me.
“Vanessa.””
The name seemed to drain the warmth from the corridor.
I read the next page.
My father had listed several discrepancies in the hospital records. A signature that.
My father had listed several discrepancies in the hospital records. A signature that didn't match. A discharge form dated before the attending physician had signed it.
A transfer order didn't match. A discharge form dated before the attending physician had signed it. A transfer order bearing the name of a nurse who had never worked in that ward.
At the bottom, he had written one sentence.
*If I cannot find Nia, I bearing the name of a nurse who had never worked in that ward.
At the bottom, he had written one sentence.
If I cannot find Nia, I need someone to make sure she is never left alone with the people who took her.
I looked up.
“Why need someone to make sure she is never left alone with the people who took her.*
I looked up.
“Why didn't you show me this yesterday?””
“Because I wanted Rebecca to verify the records first. Some didn't you show me this yesterday?””
“Because I wanted Rebecca to verify the records first. Some of the documents may be incomplete, and I won't risk giving you an answer that turns of the documents may be incomplete, and I won't risk giving you an answer that turns out to be wrong.””
I swallowed.
“Did Vanessa take me?””
“I don't know.””
“But my father suspected her.””
“Yes.””
“And you waited out to be wrong.””
I swallowed.
“Did Vanessa take me?””
“I don't know.””
“But my father suspected her.””
“Yes.””
“And you waited seventeen years.””
His expression tightened.
“I searched for you for seventeen years. I did not know you were living in Vanessa's house until seventeen years.””
His expression tightened.
“I searched for you for seventeen years. I did not know you were living in Vanessa's house until the championship registration connected your name to Daniel's records.””
I looked at the photograph of my father.
the championship registration connected your name to Daniel's records.””
I looked at the photograph of my father.
“Then why did you send me the warning about the stolen dress?””
“Because when we began investigating your identity, we found“Then why did you send me the warning about the stolen dress?””
“Because when we began investigating your identity, we found the complaint Brianna had filed. We also discovered that Vanessa had contacted someone connected to the competition.””
“Who the complaint Brianna had filed. We also discovered that Vanessa had contacted someone connected to the competition.””
“Who?””
“We're still confirming that.””
I stared at him.
“You knew they were trying to stop me.””
“I suspected it.””
“And you didn't tell me?””
“I?””
“We're still confirming that.””
I stared at him.
“You knew they were trying to stop me.””
“I suspected it.””
“And you didn't tell me?””
“I didn't want to frighten you with an accusation I couldn't prove.””
I closed the folder.
“Everyone keeps deciding didn't want to frighten you with an accusation I couldn't prove.””
I closed the folder.
“Everyone keeps deciding what I can handle.””
Adrian lowered his eyes.
“You're right.””
That answer disarmed me more than an excuse what I can handle.””
Adrian lowered his eyes.
“You're right.””
That answer disarmed me more than an excuse would have.
He stepped back.
“I won't ask you to trust me. But I will give you every record we find, and I will not would have.
He stepped back.
“I won't ask you to trust me. But I will give you every record we find, and I will not interfere with the judges' decision.””
I looked at the runway beyond the curtain.
“Good.””
Then I interfere with the judges' decision.””
I looked at the runway beyond the curtain.
“Good.””
Then I lifted my chin.
“Because I'm going to win this on my own.””
A stage assistant lifted my chin.
“Because I'm going to win this on my own.””
A stage assistant called my name.
I took the garment bag from Mrs. Alvarez and headed toward the dressing room.
Behind me, Adrian said one last called my name.
I took the garment bag from Mrs. Alvarez and headed toward the dressing room.
Behind me, Adrian said one last thing.
“Nia?””
I turned.
“Your father would have been proud of you.””
For a moment, I thing.
“Nia?””
I turned.
“Your father would have been proud of you.””
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I went backstage.
The lights were about to come on.
And this couldn't speak.
Then I went backstage.
The lights were about to come on.
And this time, I wasn't walking onto that stage to prove that my family had underestimated me.
I was walking onto it to prove that time, I wasn't walking onto that stage to prove that my family had underestimated me.
May you like
I was walking onto it to prove that they had never owned me.
they had never owned me.
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