Chapter 4
I felt cold all over.
Angela's voice trembled through the phone.
"Nia, listen carefully. Don't come outside alone."
I looked toward the backstage entrance.
People were moving between dressing rooms.
Music played faintly from the stage.
The competition was still underway.
But suddenly, everything felt dangerous.
"Where are you?" I whispered.
"At the service entrance with an attorney."
My heart jumped.
"An attorney?"
"Yes. His name is Daniel Brooks. He helped your father prepare the trust."
I pressed a hand against my chest.
"Then why didn't he contact me sooner?"
Angela hesitated.
"Because he believed you had already received the documents."
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
Someone had made sure everyone believed I knew the truth.
I told Evelyn I needed a few minutes.
She studied my face.
"Is everything all right?"
I hesitated.
Then I told her.
"My father's former assistant says my stepmother may have hidden documents about his estate."
Evelyn's expression changed.
"Do you need help?"
I almost said no.
I'd spent years refusing assistance because Vanessa told me accepting help made me weak.
But I remembered what Evelyn said earlier.
You deserve to be safe.
I took a breath.
"Yes."
She nodded.
"I'll have event security accompany you."
A few minutes later, I walked toward the service entrance with a security supervisor.
Angela stood beside a tall Black man in a gray suit.
She was in her late fifties, with short natural hair and kind eyes.
The moment she saw me, she began crying.
"Oh, Nia."
I stopped.
Then I recognized her.
She had attended several of my father's business celebrations when I was younger.
I remembered her giving me sketchbooks for my sixteenth birthday.
"Angela?"
She nodded.
I rushed toward her.
She hugged me tightly.
"You look so much like your father."
My throat tightened.
"I miss him."
"I know, sweetheart."
For a moment, I let myself cry.
Then Daniel stepped forward.
"Nia, I'm Daniel Brooks. I was one of your father's estate attorneys."
I shook his hand.
"Thank you for coming."
He looked serious.
"I wish we'd met under better circumstances."
Angela handed me a thick blue folder.
My hands shook as I opened it.
Inside were copies of legal documents.
A trust agreement.
Property schedules.
Business ownership records.
And a handwritten letter from my father.
I recognized his handwriting instantly.
My darling Nia,
If you're reading this, I hope you've grown into the brave young woman I've always known you could become.
I created this trust to protect your education, your future, and the dreams you've worked so hard to build.
No one should ever make you feel that your place in this world depends on their permission.
Your talent belongs to you.
Your future belongs to you.
And whatever happens, remember that I love you.
Always.
Dad.
I couldn't stop crying.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
For two years, I'd believed my father left me with nothing but memories.
Now I held proof that he'd tried to protect me.
Daniel waited until I could speak.
Then he explained.
"Your father established an irrevocable trust several years before his death."
I looked up.
"What does that mean?"
"It means the assets were placed under legal protections for your benefit."
My heart pounded.
"How much is there?"
Daniel opened a document.
"The trust includes investment accounts, a commercial property interest, and certain rights connected to the family home."
I stared at him.
"Vanessa said the house belonged to her."
Daniel shook his head.
"That isn't what these documents indicate."
My knees nearly weakened.
"Then why did she control everything?"
He sighed.
"Your father appointed a corporate trustee, but there were administrative changes after his death. We're reviewing whether all instructions were followed."
I looked at Angela.
"Did Vanessa know?"
Angela nodded sadly.
"She attended meetings about the estate."
Anger rushed through me.
For two years, Vanessa had made me beg for money to buy fabric.
She'd refused to help with my medical treatment.
She'd called me a burden.
And all along, my father had left resources intended to protect me.
I wiped my tears.
"What do we do now?"
Daniel looked at me.
"First, we verify the current status of every asset. Then we address any misuse through the proper legal process."
I nodded.
"Okay."
He handed me his card.
"And Nia, don't sign anything Vanessa gives you without independent advice."
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Why?"
Angela looked away.
Daniel hesitated.
"Because we've identified documents that may require your signature to transfer certain beneficial interests."
My heart pounded.
"Has she tried?"
"We're investigating."
I looked down at the folder.
Then I remembered something.
Six months earlier, Vanessa had asked me to sign paperwork she described as routine household insurance forms.
I'd refused because I wanted to read them first.
She became furious.
She called me disrespectful.
She threatened to stop paying for my sewing supplies.
I looked at Daniel.
"She tried to make me sign something."
His expression sharpened.
"What?"
I explained.
He made a note.
"That could be important."
Before we could continue, the service door opened.
Vanessa stepped outside.
Maya followed her.
Both stopped when they saw me holding the blue folder.
Vanessa's face went completely pale.
"What is that?"
I looked at her.
For the first time, I wasn't afraid to answer.
"My father's trust documents."
Her eyes widened.
Then she turned toward Angela.
"You."
Angela stood straighter.
"Hello, Vanessa."
Vanessa's voice became sharp.
"You had no right to interfere."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Mrs. Williams, these are matters involving Nia's legal interests."
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"She's a child. She doesn't understand any of this."
I felt something inside me harden.
"I'm twenty."
She ignored me.
"Daniel, this is a private family matter."
He remained calm.
"It's also a legal matter."
Maya looked between us.
"Mom, what's going on?"
Vanessa grabbed her arm.
"Nothing."
I stared at her.
"Then why did you tell me Dad left me nothing?"
Silence.
Vanessa's mouth opened.
No words came.
I held up the folder.
"Why did you make me believe I was living in your house out of charity?"
Her face reddened.
"Your father left complicated arrangements."
I shook my head.
"You said he left nothing."
She stepped closer.
"Nia, don't embarrass yourself."
I looked directly at her.
"No. I'm done being embarrassed for telling the truth."
For several seconds, we stared at each other.
Then the stage manager hurried outside.
"Nia! We need you immediately."
I turned.
"What's happening?"
She smiled.
"The judges are ready to announce the winner."
My heart began pounding.
I looked at Angela.
She squeezed my hand.
"Go show them who you are."
I nodded.
Then I turned toward the stage.
Behind me, Vanessa whispered something to Maya.
I couldn't hear the words.
But when I glanced back, Maya was staring at the blue folder.
May you like
And the expression on her face told me she finally understood something.
The dress wasn't the only thing her mother had stolen from me.
