Chapter 6: My Mother's Secret Notebook
I recognized my mother's handwriting immediately.
The rounded letters.
The small loops.
The way she crossed her lowercase t's.
I had seen that handwriting on birthday cards, school notes, and the little messages she used to leave beside my breakfast.
But I had never seen the notebook Adrian Cole was holding.
He placed it carefully on the conference table.
"This belonged to Eleanor Carter," he said.
My heart began racing.
"How did you get that?""
Adrian looked at me.
"She gave it to me shortly before she became ill. She asked me to keep it safe until I found someone who understood what she had been trying to create.""
I couldn't speak.
He opened the notebook.
The first page contained a collection of fabric samples.
The second had drawings of flowing gowns.
On the third page, I saw stars.
Hundreds of tiny stars arranged across a midnight-blue silhouette.
My breath caught.
It was my dress.
Not exactly the same.
But unmistakably the same idea.
The same flowing skirt.
The same silver constellations.
The same delicate waistline.
And near the bottom of the page, in my mother's handwriting, were three words.
The Last Light.
I covered my mouth.
Vanessa shifted in her chair.
Brianna stared at the notebook.
Adrian turned another page.
"Eleanor was developing this collection before she became ill. She wanted to create garments that represented the things people carried with them after losing someone they loved.""
He looked toward me.
"She never finished the collection. But she told me she hoped one day someone would continue it.""
I felt tears slipping down my cheeks.
"I didn't know.""
Adrian nodded.
"Of course you didn't. You were young.""
He turned toward the other judges.
"This is important for another reason. I recognize the design language in Nia's work. The structural techniques, the embroidery placement, and the use of hidden antique details are consistent with Eleanor's documented methods.""
One of the judges leaned forward.
"Are you saying Nia inherited the design?""
"No. I'm saying she created her own version of an idea her mother had begun. That is a perfectly legitimate creative process.""
He turned toward Brianna.
"But Miss Reed's submission is not merely similar. It contains identical design elements, identical technical descriptions, and language copied from Miss Carter's registered portfolio.""
Brianna's face had gone pale.
Vanessa suddenly stood.
"This is absurd. A notebook doesn't prove anything about what happened between the girls.""
Adrian looked at her.
"Then let's examine the other evidence.""
Patricia opened a second folder.
It contained the digital access report.
"According to our records," she explained, "the files submitted under Brianna Reed's name were accessed from an email account registered to Vanessa Reed.""
Vanessa's expression changed.
"That's impossible.""
Patricia continued.
"The account accessed Nia Carter's original portfolio on April 3. Brianna's application was submitted on April 5.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"I was helping her with administrative matters.""
"Did you have permission to use the files?""
Vanessa looked at me.
"Nia and Brianna are family. We share things.""
I spoke for the first time.
"Not my designs.""
Vanessa ignored me.
"These are children. You're turning a family disagreement into a criminal investigation.""
Adrian closed the notebook.
"Mrs. Reed, the issue is not whether the contestants are family. The issue is whether one contestant submitted another person's work as her own.""
Brianna began crying.
"Mom, can we just leave?""
Vanessa reached for her hand.
"Don't worry, sweetheart.""
Adrian looked at Brianna.
"Before we conclude, I would like you to answer one question honestly.""
She wiped her cheeks.
"What?""
"Did you create this dress?""
Brianna stared at the table.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she whispered, "I helped with it.""
"How?""
"I chose some of the materials.""
"Which materials?""
She hesitated.
"The trim.""
Adrian nodded.
"And the original sketches?""
Brianna looked at Vanessa.
"I didn't make those.""
Vanessa immediately interrupted.
"Brianna, don't answer questions without thinking.""
But Brianna was already unraveling.
"Mom, stop.""
Vanessa froze.
Brianna's voice shook.
"You told me everything would be fine.""
The room became silent.
Adrian leaned back.
"Miss Reed, are you saying your mother arranged the submission?""
Brianna began sobbing.
"She said Nia wouldn't mind. She said it was just one competition and that I deserved something of my own.""
I stared at her.
"You knew it was my dress.""
Brianna covered her face.
"I know.""
"You knew Mom's lace was in it.""
She nodded.
"Then why did you let them cut it off?""
She looked up.
"I didn't think it would matter.""
I felt as though someone had punched me.
"It was the last piece of her wedding dress.""
Brianna began crying harder.
Vanessa stood.
"That's enough. We're leaving.""
Patricia looked toward security.
"Mrs. Reed, the review isn't finished.""
Vanessa grabbed Brianna's handbag.
"We are not staying here to be humiliated.""
Brianna didn't move.
For the first time, she wasn't following her mother.
Adrian spoke calmly.
"Miss Reed, you are free to leave. However, the committee will need your written statement.""
Vanessa turned toward him.
"You can't do this.""
"Actually, we can.""
She stared at the judges.
Then she looked at me.
Her expression was no longer polite.
"You think you've won something, Nia?""
I didn't answer.
She leaned closer.
"Your father signed the declaration. You should be more worried about what happens when he realizes what you've done to this family.""
I stood.
"My father signed it because you lied to him.""
Vanessa's face hardened.
"Be careful.""
I looked directly at her.
"For once, I'm not afraid of you.""
She grabbed Brianna's arm.
This time, Brianna pulled away.
"Mom, stop.""
Vanessa looked stunned.
Brianna wiped her face.
"I need to tell them something.""
Vanessa's voice dropped.
"Not another word.""
But Brianna continued.
"The application wasn't my idea.""
I watched her.
"Then whose was it?""
She swallowed.
"Mom's.""
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Brianna continued.
"She told me that Nia was going to get the scholarship anyway because she was already a finalist. She said if I wore the dress, the judges might choose me instead.""
I felt sick.
"You knew about the scholarship?""
Brianna nodded.
"Mom said we needed to make sure I had the better opportunity.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
She looked at Vanessa.
Then back at me.
"Because she said Dad would never let you move to New York if you won.""
I couldn't breathe.
That was the real reason.
It wasn't simply about attention.
It wasn't even just jealousy.
Vanessa had deliberately tried to destroy my opportunity because she didn't want me leaving.
She wanted me dependent.
She wanted me in the house, quiet and grateful, while Brianna received everything.
I looked toward the judges.
"I would like to submit one more piece of evidence.""
Patricia nodded.
I opened my laptop and brought up the message history I had recovered from the family computer.
It was a conversation between Vanessa and Brianna.
I had discovered it two nights earlier while searching for the competition files.
I hadn't understood its importance until now.
The first message was from Vanessa.
If Nia wins that scholarship, she'll leave Connecticut. Marcus will start questioning why we've spent so much money on Brianna's opportunities while Nia gets nothing.
Brianna had replied:
So what do we do?
Vanessa's answer made my stomach turn.
We use the dress. Once you win, everyone will see you as the talented daughter. Nia can always make another one.
Then came another message.
And don't worry about the lace. Remove anything that makes the dress look connected to Eleanor. We don't need people asking questions.
The room fell silent.
Adrian read the messages twice.
Then he looked at Vanessa.
"Did you write these?""
Vanessa's lips parted.
No words came out.
Brianna began shaking her head.
"I didn't know she meant to destroy Mom's things.""
I turned toward her.
"You knew enough to wear the dress.""
She looked down.
"I know.""
Adrian closed the folder.
"I believe we have enough evidence to make a preliminary decision.""
Patricia stood.
"The committee will deliberate before announcing the result.""
I sat down.
My entire body felt exhausted.
For months, I had been preparing to present my work.
I had imagined the judges asking about fabric, structure, and inspiration.
I had imagined standing on the runway with my dress.
I had imagined hearing my mother's name spoken with pride.
Instead, I had spent the afternoon defending myself against my own family.
Mrs. Ellis found me outside the conference room.
She hugged me tightly.
"How are you?""
I tried to answer.
Nothing came out.
She rubbed my back.
"You did what you needed to do.""
I looked at the floor.
"I just wanted to show them my dress.""
"I know.""
"I wanted Dad to be proud.""
She held my shoulders.
"Your worth was never dependent on his ability to recognize it.""
I started crying.
For several minutes, I let myself cry.
Then my phone vibrated.
It was a message from Dad.
Where are you? Vanessa says you've accused her of stealing from you. Please come outside. We need to talk.
I read it twice.
Then I typed:
Ask her why she planned to use my dress to keep me from attending Harrington.
I pressed send.
A minute later, he called.
I answered.
"Nia?""
"Yes.""
His voice sounded strained.
"What are you talking about?""
I looked through the glass doors.
Vanessa was standing near the entrance, speaking angrily with a staff member.
"Did you know she wanted to stop me from leaving for college?""
Silence.
"Dad?""
He exhaled.
"No.""
"Then ask her.""
"I will.""
"Did you know she accessed my files?""
"No.""
"Did you know she had my mother's lace removed?""
His voice broke.
"No, sweetheart.""
I closed my eyes.
For a moment, I wanted to believe him.
Then I remembered the signed declaration.
"Why did you sign that document?""
He didn't answer.
I waited.
Finally, he whispered, "Because I trusted her.""
I felt tears rise again.
"You were supposed to trust me, too.""
The call went silent.
Then Dad said something I hadn't heard from him in years.
"I'm sorry, Nia.""
I didn't know what to say.
Before I could respond, Patricia appeared at the end of the hallway.
She was holding a microphone.
"Miss Carter, the judges are ready to announce their decision.""
My heart began pounding.
I ended the call.
Mrs. Ellis squeezed my hand.
"Whatever happens, remember who made that dress.""
We walked back into the auditorium.
The contestants were seated.
The audience had grown even larger.
Several journalists were standing near the stage.
Vanessa sat in the front row with her arms folded.
Brianna sat beside her, staring at the floor.
Dad was standing near the entrance.
Adrian Cole walked onto the stage carrying two folders.
The room became silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "we have reviewed a serious dispute involving two finalists and one original design.""
He paused.
"The committee has reached a decision.""
I held my breath.
Adrian opened the first folder.
"Regarding the design known as Celestial Grace, the committee has determined that the work was not originally created by Brianna Reed.""
A murmur swept through the audience.
He continued.
"The original design, registered and documented by Nia Carter, was submitted without authorization.""
Vanessa stood abruptly.
"This is a disgrace!""
Security approached her.
Adrian didn't stop.
"Therefore, Brianna Reed is disqualified from the competition.""
Brianna lowered her head.
Then Adrian opened the second folder.
"However, there is another matter we would like to address.""
He looked directly at me.
"Nia Carter, your portfolio demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship, originality, and technical ability.""
My hands began shaking.
"Your work also carries a remarkable connection to the legacy of a designer I personally owe much of my career to.""
He smiled faintly.
"Eleanor Carter.""
The auditorium erupted in applause.
I covered my mouth.
Adrian waited for the noise to settle.
"Miss Carter, would you please join me onstage?""
I stood.
My legs felt weak.
As I walked toward the runway, I looked at Dad.
He was crying.
For once, he didn't look away.
Adrian extended his hand.
Then he said something that changed everything.
"Nia, before we announce the scholarship recipient, there's something your mother asked me to do if I ever met you.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
He reached inside his briefcase.
And pulled out a sealed envelope.
My name was written across the front in my mother's handwriting.
*Nia Carter.*
I stopped breathing.
May you like
My mother had left me something.
And Adrian had been keeping it for fifteen years.
