Chapter 6: The Flight That Changed Everything
For three seconds, I couldn't move.
My mother was going to London with Brianna.
The same woman who had spent twenty-six years telling me that family came first was now helping her favorite daughter silence the only person who could expose their lies.
Maya took my phone and examined the airline notification.
"There's still time," she said.
I looked at the departure information.
"Not enough.""
"We can get on the next flight.""
Margaret shook her head.
"Don't rush into this. Claire has been living under another name for years. If Denise and Brianna know where she is, we need to warn her before they arrive.""
Daniel called while we were still standing in Margaret's living room.
I answered immediately.
"Daniel, Brianna is flying to London.""
"I know. Maya forwarded me the information.""
"My mother is going with her.""
There was a pause.
"That changes things.""
"Can you contact the airport?""
"I can alert the relevant authorities if there's credible evidence of a threat. But we need to be precise. A family dispute and a suspicious flight aren't enough by themselves.""
Margaret stepped forward.
"Tell him about the trust.""
I explained everything.
Daniel listened carefully.
Then he said, "I have just received an email from the bank.""
My heart began racing.
"What email?""
"The trust administrator has confirmed that the original beneficiary documents were accessed yesterday using a request submitted under your mother's name.""
"Can she access them?""
"Not without authorization. But she attempted to.""
Maya swore under her breath.
Daniel continued.
"There's also a transfer request involving the shares.""
I closed my eyes.
"How much?""
"Forty percent of the company.""
The same forty percent my grandmother had left me.
"Was it approved?""
"No. The transfer was blocked.""
I exhaled.
Then Daniel added, "But someone has submitted a forged authorization bearing your father's signature.""
The room became silent.
I looked at Margaret.
She covered her mouth.
My father had been dead for eleven months.
Someone had forged his signature to steal my inheritance.
"Can you stop it?"" I asked.
"Already requested. But Nia, I need you to understand something. If the documents were taken from the gown, they may contain information that could help establish the forgery.""
I looked at the empty silver envelope in my hand.
Brianna had taken everything.
Except the little note hidden beneath the embroidery.
The one that had led us to the blue cabinet.
I suddenly remembered another detail.
The storage device had a serial number.
My father had written it in the journal.
I opened the leather notebook and searched through the pages.
There it was.
A small black USB device, number 7719.
I read the entry beneath it.
Original trust documents scanned. Video testimony recorded. Backup stored with M. Hayes.
I looked at Margaret.
"Do you have a backup?""
Her expression changed.
She walked toward a wooden cabinet.
From the bottom drawer, she removed a small metal box.
"I was wondering when you would ask.""
Inside was another storage device.
My hands trembled as she placed it on the table.
"Your father brought this to me six months before he died. He asked me to keep it safe until you were ready.""
Maya stared at it.
"Does it contain the original documents?""
"Everything," Margaret replied.
"Including a recording.""
I looked at her.
"What recording?""
Margaret hesitated.
"Your grandmother explaining why she created the trust.""
I felt tears gather in my eyes.
For the first time since my father's death, I felt as though he had left me something more valuable than a memory.
He had left me a way to defend myself.
Daniel's voice came through the phone.
"Nia, do not touch or modify anything on that device. I'll arrange for a forensic copy.""
I nodded.
"Okay.""
"And one more thing. The foundation has scheduled the emergency hearing for tomorrow evening. Both applicants must attend.""
I looked at the gown resting across Margaret's sofa.
Tomorrow evening.
I was supposed to present my collection.
But now I had a bigger fight.
"I'll be there," I said.
After the call ended, Maya walked into the garden with me.
The November air was cold.
She wrapped her coat around herself.
"You know what happens if this comes out?""
I looked at her.
"My mother loses everything.""
"Not just that. Brianna may lose the company shares she believes she owns. Your mother's entire version of the family could collapse.""
I looked toward the house.
"Maybe it should.""
Maya touched my shoulder.
"Are you ready for that?""
I thought about the kitchen table where my mother had once told me that Brianna deserved my dress.
I thought about the years I had spent making myself smaller to keep the peace.
Then I remembered my grandmother's letter.
She has always mistaken obedience for loyalty.
"Yes," I said.
My phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
Stop digging. You don't know what your father did.
I stared at it.
Then another message arrived.
Ask Margaret why Claire really left.
I turned toward the house.
Margaret was standing behind the glass door.
She was watching me.
And for the first time, I wondered whether the woman who had helped my grandmother preserve the truth was hiding something too.
That evening, we received confirmation that Brianna and Denise had boarded their flight.
At 11:32 p.m., Margaret's phone rang.
She answered.
Her face changed immediately.
"Claire?""
I stood up.
Margaret listened for several seconds.
Then she looked at me.
"She's safe.""
I exhaled.
But Margaret's expression remained troubled.
"What's wrong?"" I asked.
She handed me the phone.
A woman's voice came through.
"Is this Nia?""
"Yes.""
"My name is Claire Hayes.""
I froze.
"Claire?""
"Your grandmother's younger daughter. Brianna's biological mother.""
I gripped the phone.
"I've been looking for you.""
"I know.""
Her voice sounded tired.
Then she said something that made my stomach drop.
"Your mother and sister aren't coming to London to find me.""
I swallowed.
"Then why are they coming?""
"Because they believe I still have the original ownership agreement.""
"Do you?""
A long silence followed.
Then Claire whispered:
"Yes. And Nia, there's something else you need to know about your sister.""
"What?""
"Before Denise adopted Brianna, she made me sign an agreement.""
"What agreement?""
Claire's voice cracked.
"One that gave Denise the right to raise my daughter, provided she never told Brianna who her real mother was.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why would she do that?""
"Because Brianna wasn't the only child Denise wanted to protect.""
I frowned.
"What do you mean?""
Claire took a shaky breath.
May you like
"Your mother had another secret. One that involves your father's death.""
The call disconnected.
