Chapter 9
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
Aunt Patricia had spent years telling me that Vanessa was misunderstood and that I needed to be more patient with her.
She had defended Vanessa at family gatherings, criticized my ambition, and insisted that keeping peace mattered more than proving who was right.
I had never imagined she might be involved in something like this.
Thomas cautioned me not to jump to conclusions.
"The computer record is important, but it doesn't establish who physically created the document. We need the full investigation."
I agreed.
Still, the thought wouldn't leave me.
Why would Patricia have access to a document transferring my designs to Vanessa?
That afternoon, my mother called her.
I sat nearby as the conversation unfolded.
"Patricia, we need to talk about the agreement Vanessa presented to her investor."
A long silence followed.
Then Patricia answered sharply.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"The document may have been created using your computer."
Another silence.
"That's impossible."
"Then help us understand how your account became connected to it."
Patricia's voice grew louder.
"This is what happens when you let Nia turn everything into a competition. Vanessa is trying to build a future, and Nia is determined to destroy it."
My mother closed her eyes.
"Did you help Vanessa prepare those documents?"
"I helped her with a business proposal."
"Did you know she was using Nia's designs?"
"I thought they were family designs."
"Did you know the agreement claimed Nia had transferred ownership?"
Patricia stopped speaking.
Then she said, "I need to talk to my lawyer."
The call ended.
My mother lowered the phone.
I felt sick.
It was one thing to suspect Vanessa had stolen my work.
It was another to discover that someone else might have helped her.
Thomas arranged a formal interview with Patricia's attorney. Meanwhile, the investigator continued examining the digital records.
Two days later, we received the findings.
The disputed agreement had been created using Patricia's computer account. Several drafts had been saved, and one contained comments about changing the wording to make the transfer appear voluntary.
The records did not prove who had typed every sentence, but they established that the document had been developed on her device.
More importantly, messages between Patricia and Vanessa showed that they had discussed how to present the designs to the investor.
One message referred to the collection as "Nia's work, with the ownership problem handled."
I read it twice.
My hands shook.
The evidence was no longer just a misunderstanding.
Vanessa had known the designs were mine.
Patricia had known enough to discuss the ownership problem.
Together, they had proceeded anyway.
Robert Ellis withdrew his proposed investment and submitted the documents to his legal team. The production company suspended the collection while the dispute was investigated.
Bellamy Atelier's board received the new evidence.
My application was no longer in danger because of an unsupported accusation against me. The concern had shifted to the source of the complaint and the misuse of my designs.
But I wasn't celebrating.
My family was falling apart.
That evening, Vanessa arrived at my studio.
Tasha called me before letting her inside.
"Do you want me to tell her to leave?"
I considered it.
Then I said, "Let her come in, but stay nearby."
Vanessa entered with red eyes and trembling hands.
She looked smaller than I had ever seen her.
"You've ruined everything," she said.
I folded my arms.
"You stole my work."
"I was trying to make something of myself."
"Then why didn't you create something?"
She began crying.
"Because nobody would have paid attention to me."
I felt anger rise in my chest.
"So you decided to take what I built?"
"You don't understand what it feels like to be invisible."
"I spent years being invisible while you mocked my work. I kept going anyway."
She wiped her face.
"I thought if I launched the collection first, people would accept it as mine."
The admission left me speechless.
"Did you destroy my gown to stop me from wearing it to the celebration?"
She looked away.
"Yes."
The answer hurt more than I expected.
"Why?"
"Because I knew Denise would be there. I knew you'd show everyone what you could do, and I couldn't stand it."
I took a slow breath.
"You could have asked for help. You could have started your own business. You could have told me you were struggling."
"You would have looked down on me."
"I never did that."
She shook her head.
"You don't have to. Everyone looks at you and sees someone worth believing in."
I stared at her.
"And what do you think they see when they look at you?"
She didn't answer.
I stepped toward the door.
"I'm not going to lie for you, Vanessa. I'm not going to withdraw my complaint or pretend this never happened."
Her face crumpled.
"Please."
"I won't stop you from taking responsibility. But I won't save you from the consequences."
She left without another word.
The next morning, Thomas called.
"The board has reached a decision regarding your application."
I gripped the phone.
"Am I still being considered?"
"Yes, Nia. They want you to attend the final signing meeting."
I closed my eyes.
For the first time since Vanessa destroyed my gown, I allowed myself to cry from relief.
May you like
But the family investigation wasn't finished.
And the hardest conversation was still waiting for me.
