Chapter 6: The Truth About My Mother's Last Promise
I stared at the hospital record.
My mother's name.
Brianna's name.
A date from six years before my mother died.
And a handwritten note that made no sense.
"Why is Brianna listed as next of kin?"" I asked.
Vanessa sat down.
"Because your mother and Brianna were close.""
I shook my head.
"No, they weren't.""
I remembered Brianna from the first year Vanessa moved into our house.
She had been seventeen then.
I was twelve.
She barely spoke to me.
She certainly hadn't spent time with my mother.
My father reached for the document.
"Give that to me.""
Vanessa pulled it away.
"Why? Afraid she'll finally learn what kind of woman her mother really was?""
"Stop.""
I looked between them.
"Dad, what's going on?""
He took a deep breath.
"Your mother helped Brianna once.""
"Helped her how?""
Vanessa answered before he could.
"Brianna was having a difficult time at school. Your mother offered to help her with a scholarship application.""
I frowned.
"That's all?""
Vanessa smiled.
"Not quite.""
She opened the envelope and removed another photograph.
It showed my mother standing outside a hospital room.
Beside her was a teenage girl.
Brianna.
I felt the floor tilt beneath me.
"That's Brianna?""
Vanessa nodded.
"She was sixteen.""
I looked at the photograph again.
My mother was smiling.
Brianna was holding a small bouquet of flowers.
They looked close.
Much closer than I had ever imagined.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?""
Vanessa leaned back.
"Because there were things your mother wanted kept private.""
My father shook his head.
"That's enough.""
"No, Richard. It's time.""
She turned toward me.
"Your mother knew Brianna before she married your father.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
Vanessa folded her hands.
"She met her at a youth design workshop. Brianna was interested in fashion. Elena took a liking to her.""
I looked at the photograph.
My mother had always encouraged young designers.
That part made sense.
But something still felt wrong.
"Why does the hospital record list Brianna as next of kin?""
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
"Because she was there when Elena was admitted.""
I looked at my father.
He wouldn't meet my eyes.
"Why?""
He finally spoke.
"Your mother had been working too hard. She collapsed in her studio.""
My chest tightened.
"Was Brianna with her?""
"Yes.""
"Where was I?""
"You were at school.""
I looked back at the photograph.
"Why didn't Dad go?""
My father closed his eyes.
"I was out of town.""
Vanessa leaned forward.
"And I was the one who took care of everything.""
I felt a cold anger spreading through me.
"Then why did you hide it?""
Vanessa shrugged.
"Because you were a child.""
"That doesn't explain why Brianna was listed as next of kin.""
For the first time, Vanessa looked irritated.
"Because the hospital paperwork was completed incorrectly.""
I stared at her.
"Then why are you showing it to me?""
She didn't answer.
My father stepped between us.
"Vanessa, this conversation is over.""
But she wasn't finished.
She pulled out another paper.
This one was a letter.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
My mother's.
I recognized the curved E and the tiny hearts she sometimes added above the letter i.
My hands began to shake.
"Where did you get that?""
Vanessa held it up.
"From the portfolio.""
I reached for it.
She moved it away.
"Not so fast.""
"Give it to me.""
"First, you need to understand what your mother wanted.""
I stared at her.
"What did she want?""
Vanessa looked at my father.
Then she began reading.
"Vanessa, I know you care about Brianna. I also know she has been through more than most children should have to endure. I want her to have opportunities, but I cannot promise her what I promised Nia.""
Vanessa stopped.
My throat tightened.
"What does that mean?""
She continued.
"The collection is Nia's. The rights are hers. I have made arrangements to protect them. Please don't allow anyone to convince Richard otherwise.""
The room went silent.
My mother had known.
She had anticipated this.
She had specifically warned Vanessa.
I looked at her.
"She knew you might try to take the collection.""
Vanessa folded the letter.
"Your mother was paranoid near the end.""
"She was protecting me.""
"She was protecting her own interests.""
My father stepped forward.
"Vanessa, give Nia the letter.""
Vanessa ignored him.
Instead, she reached into the envelope again.
This time, she removed a second document.
A handwritten agreement.
I recognized my mother's signature at the bottom.
And beside it was Vanessa's.
"What is that?"" I asked.
Vanessa smiled.
"A promise.""
I read the first few lines.
It appeared to be an agreement between my mother and Vanessa.
The wording was simple.
Vanessa would help care for Brianna and support her interest in fashion.
In return, my mother would allow Brianna to use certain workshop materials for educational purposes.
But there was a final paragraph.
It stated that no ownership rights would be transferred.
I looked up.
"This proves you don't own anything.""
Vanessa's smile vanished.
"It proves nothing.""
"It says the collection belongs to me.""
"It says your mother had an agreement with me.""
"An agreement that specifically says you don't own the designs.""
My father reached for the paper.
"Let me see.""
Vanessa pulled it back.
"Richard, stop taking her side.""
"I'm reading the document.""
She stood abruptly.
"You've both forgotten everything I've done for this family.""
I stared at her.
"You keep saying that. But what have you actually done for me?""
She looked at me.
For a moment, I thought she might answer honestly.
Instead, she said:
"I gave you a home.""
I laughed bitterly.
"You gave me a room. Mom gave me a future.""
Her face reddened.
"Your mother left you with nothing but memories.""
"She left me her designs.""
"And what have you done with them?""
I didn't answer.
Vanessa stepped closer.
"You've spent months sewing a dress that nobody wants to see. Meanwhile, Brianna has been building a real career.""
I glanced toward the hallway.
"Is that why she's claiming my design?""
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
"She's trying to establish herself.""
"By stealing from me?""
"By taking an opportunity.""
I stared at her.
"That's not an opportunity. That's theft.""
My father finally raised his voice.
"Vanessa, enough!""
She turned toward him.
"You don't get to lecture me, Richard. You signed the agreement.""
He went silent.
She continued.
"You knew the collection was being transferred. You knew the money was going to be used for the family.""
My father looked confused.
"What money?""
Vanessa's expression shifted.
I caught it immediately.
"What money?"" I repeated.
She closed the envelope.
"Nothing.""
My father stepped closer.
"Vanessa.""
She looked toward Brianna's bedroom.
Then back at us.
"Northstar offered more than eight hundred thousand dollars. I was going to use part of it to establish Brianna's fashion studio.""
I stared at her.
"You were going to use my inheritance to buy Brianna a studio?""
Vanessa lifted her chin.
"She has talent.""
"And I don't?""
"You're a child playing dress-up.""
My father shook his head.
"That money was supposed to go into the trust.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Then perhaps you should have read what you signed.""
My father looked devastated.
I felt something cold settle in my chest.
This wasn't a misunderstanding.
It wasn't a family disagreement.
It was deliberate.
And they had planned it for months.
I took my phone from my pocket.
"I'm calling the attorney.""
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"Don't you dare.""
I dialed Margaret.
She answered immediately.
"Nia?""
"I need you to come to the house.""
"What's happened?""
"Vanessa has my mother's letters and a signed agreement.""
There was a pause.
"Don't let her leave with anything.""
I looked at the briefcase.
"I won't.""
Margaret's voice became firm.
"Good. Our attorney is already reviewing the documents. He wants to speak with your father.""
I handed the phone to him.
"Dad, please.""
He took it.
"Hello?""
I couldn't hear everything Margaret said.
But I watched my father's expression change.
First confusion.
Then shock.
Finally, anger.
When he handed the phone back, his hands were shaking.
"She says the agreement I signed may be invalid," he said.
Vanessa went still.
"What?""
My father looked at her.
"The trust was never yours to transfer. And because Nia is now eighteen, any attempt to use her designs without permission could result in a lawsuit.""
Vanessa laughed.
"She's not going to sue her own family.""
I looked directly at her.
"Don't assume that.""
Her eyes flashed.
"You wouldn't dare.""
I picked up my mother's letter.
"I think Mom already knew someone might make me choose.""
For the first time, Vanessa looked afraid.
Then Brianna came downstairs.
She was carrying a tablet.
"Mom, Northstar just emailed.""
Vanessa turned.
"What did they say?""
Brianna glanced at the screen.
"They want confirmation that the original Phoenix design is ready for the presentation tomorrow.""
My father froze.
"Presentation?""
Brianna nodded.
"They're unveiling the collection at the graduation event.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
She looked at me with a smug smile.
"Didn't you know? Northstar is sponsoring the ceremony. They're sending representatives.""
My stomach dropped.
"You're planning to present my mother's collection tomorrow?""
Brianna shrugged.
"Not your collection.""
She turned the tablet toward me.
On the screen was a promotional poster.
A photograph of Brianna wearing a turquoise-and-silver gown.
Underneath it, in large gold letters, were the words:
*BRIANNA CARTER — THE NEXT GENERATION OF ELENA CARTER DESIGN.*
I stared at the image.
The gown was mine.
Not just similar.
Mine.
The same silver panels.
The same crystal pattern.
Even the asymmetrical waistline.
But there was something else.
A small silver phoenix embroidered at the back.
I had never made that part.
My mother's original design had one.
Brianna was using the complete original design, not my altered version.
Which meant she had access to the portfolio.
And she had been studying my mother's sketches.
I looked at her.
"Where did you get that dress?""
Brianna smiled.
"From the designer.""
"Which designer?""
She leaned closer.
"Someone who actually knows what she's doing.""
My father took the tablet.
"Who made this?""
Brianna snatched it back.
"Why does it matter?""
"Who made it?""
She hesitated.
Then Vanessa answered.
"Northstar's design team.""
I looked at her.
"Using Mom's sketches?""
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"Enough questions.""
I stepped forward.
"You're going to present a stolen collection in front of my entire graduating class.""
Brianna laughed.
"And you're going to stand there in your homemade costume.""
She glanced at my dress.
"Actually, I hope you wear it. It will make the comparison much more entertaining.""
I felt my fingers curl.
Then I remembered Margaret's warning.
Don't let them take the original drawings.
I reached for the portfolio.
Vanessa grabbed it first.
"You're not touching this.""
My father moved between us.
"Give it to Nia.""
"No.""
"Vanessa.""
She looked at him.
Then, with a sudden movement, she pulled a folded paper from the portfolio and tore it in half.
My heart stopped.
"NO!""
I lunged forward.
But she had already ripped the page into four pieces.
She dropped them onto the floor.
Brianna gasped.
My father shouted.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?""
Vanessa stood motionless.
Then she smiled.
"That was the original authorization letter.""
I looked down at the torn pieces.
My mother's handwriting.
Her signature.
Destroyed.
For one terrible moment, I thought everything was lost.
Then my phone rang.
Margaret.
I answered with shaking hands.
"Nia, don't panic. We found something.""
"What?""
"The attorney located the original document in the estate archive.""
I closed my eyes.
"Are you sure?""
"Yes. And there's something else.""
"What?""
Margaret lowered her voice.
"Your mother recorded a video shortly before she died. It was sealed with the estate documents.""
My breath caught.
"What does it say?""
A pause.
Then Margaret spoke.
"She named the person she believed would try to steal her collection.""
I looked at Vanessa.
She was staring at me.
Her face had lost every trace of confidence.
"Who?"" I whispered.
Margaret answered.
"Your stepmother.""
The call ended.
I stood in the middle of the living room, surrounded by torn paper, stolen designs, and six years of lies.
My father slowly sat down.
Brianna stopped smiling.
And Vanessa?
She walked toward the door.
But before she could leave, my father's voice stopped her.
"You're not going anywhere.""
She turned.
"Richard, move.""
He stood between her and the exit.
For the first time in six years, he wasn't looking at me.
He was looking at the woman he had trusted.
And he finally seemed to see her clearly.
Then the doorbell rang.
My father opened it.
A man in a dark suit stood outside, holding a leather briefcase.
"Mr. Carter?"" he asked.
"Yes.""
The man showed him an identification card.
"My name is Daniel Brooks. I'm the attorney representing Elena Carter's estate.""
He glanced past my father and looked directly at me.
"Miss Carter, I believe we need to discuss what your mother left you.""
May you like
Then he looked toward Vanessa.
"And I believe we need to discuss the documents she has been trying to destroy.""
