Chapter 5: My Sister's Price for Keeping Quiet
At six o'clock, I arrived at the hotel where Brianna's charity gala was being held.
Mrs. Collins had insisted on coming with me.
Daniel had also arranged for an independent legal representative to meet us in the lobby.
But when I stepped through the revolving doors, Brianna was already waiting.
She wore a black dress and diamond earrings.
My pink gown was hanging behind her in a garment bag.
“Finally,” she said.
“I was beginning to think you'd lost your nerve.””
I looked at the garment bag.
“Give it back.””
Brianna laughed.
“Not until we talk.””
Mrs. Collins stepped forward.
“Brianna, the garment belongs to Emily. We have extensive documentation.””
Brianna looked at her.
“Oh, Mrs. Collins. Still playing hero?””
“I'm simply telling the truth.””
“Then perhaps you should tell the truth about how much Emily has been paying you to help her.””
Mrs. Collins's eyebrows rose.
“Excuse me?””
Brianna smiled.
“Mom told me everything. You helped Emily create a false ownership record because you wanted a share of the scholarship money.””
I stared at her.
“That's ridiculous.””
“Is it?””
She pulled a folded document from her handbag.
It was a statement supposedly signed by Mrs. Collins.
The document claimed that I had purchased a completed dress from the alterations shop and later added decorative details to make it appear original.
Mrs. Collins took one look at it.
“This isn't my signature.””
Brianna shrugged.
“That's what the investigators will decide.””
“You forged this?””
“Careful,” Brianna replied.
“Accusing someone of forgery is a serious matter.””
I stepped closer.
“Why are you doing this?””
For the first time, Brianna's smile disappeared.
“Because I'm tired, Emily.””
“Tired of what?””
“Of watching everyone make sacrifices for you.””
I stared at her.
“You've had everything.””
“Exactly. I've had to work for everything.””
I almost laughed.
“You got a car when you turned sixteen. Mom paid for your college apartment. She gave you money every month.””
“And you got to stay home, play with fabric, and pretend you were going to become some famous designer.””
“I worked for every dollar I spent on that gown.””
Brianna looked toward the ballroom.
“Do you know what happens if the gala fails?””
“No.””
“Mom loses the house.””
I froze.
“What?””
She opened her handbag and removed a printed financial statement.
“Three months of mortgage payments are overdue. There are other debts, too. The trust was supposed to cover them.””
I scanned the page.
There were several large withdrawals.
One was dated two years earlier.
Another was dated just six months ago.
The last was dated the previous week.
“Why is my name here?”” I asked.
Brianna snatched the paper away.
“Because Dad left money for both of us.””
“And you took mine?””
Her eyes narrowed.
“Mom managed the money.””
“Did you know she was using it?””
Brianna didn't answer.
That silence told me more than any confession could.
I stepped closer.
“You knew.””
She rolled her eyes.
“Don't act like you're some innocent victim. Mom paid for your school supplies, your food, your clothes. Everything came from somewhere.””
“Not from Dad's money that he specifically left for me.””
Brianna lowered her voice.
“Listen. I can make this easy.””
I waited.
“You withdraw from the showcase. You sign a statement saying the dress was a joint project. In return, Mom will let you keep the rest of your trust money.””
“How much is left?””
Brianna looked away.
“Enough.””
“How much?””
She tightened her grip on the garment bag.
“Twenty-eight thousand dollars.””
I stared at her.
“That's all?””
Her expression changed.
“What do you mean?””
I had read Daniel's email.
The original trust documents referenced an initial investment worth significantly more than that.
“Where did the rest go?””
Brianna's face reddened.
“That's not your problem.””
“It became my problem when you claimed my work and my money.””
She leaned closer.
“Do you want to know something, Emily? Mom didn't even want to give me the dress at first.””
I went still.
“What?””
“She said the lining had to be checked before I wore it. She said there was something inside that could ruin everything.””
My heart began pounding.
“Did you open it?””
Brianna looked at the garment bag.
“The seamstress started removing the lining yesterday.””
“Where is it?””
“Mom took it.””
“Where?””
“I don't know.””
Mrs. Collins stepped forward.
“Brianna, if your mother removed the original lining, she may have destroyed evidence.””
Brianna's expression hardened.
“Then perhaps she had a good reason.””
I stared at my sister.
“Why are you protecting her?””
Brianna's eyes filled with tears, but her voice remained sharp.
“Because she protected me when Dad died. She made sure I had everything I needed.””
“And what did she tell you about the trust?””
Brianna looked down.
Then she whispered, “She said Dad changed his mind before he died.””
I shook my head.
“That's not what Daniel's document says.””
Brianna's face turned pale.
“What document?””
I realized I had said too much.
She grabbed my arm.
“Emily, what did you find?””
I pulled away.
“Let go.””
“Tell me what was inside that pocket!””
Before I could answer, a familiar voice came from behind us.
“Brianna. That's enough.””
Mom approached in a silver evening gown.
Her makeup was perfect, but her hands were trembling.
She looked at Mrs. Collins.
Then at me.
“Why did you bring her here?””
“Because she has the dress.””
Mom turned to Brianna.
“Give me the garment bag.””
Brianna hesitated.
“Mom, she knows about the trust.””
My mother's face changed.
“WHAT?””
Brianna looked at me.
“She knows Dad left something for her.””
Mom closed her eyes.
For one moment, she looked like someone who had just watched a carefully constructed lie collapse.
Then she turned toward me.
“Emily, we need to leave. Now.””
“No.””
“Don't embarrass me in front of these people.””
“I don't care about your gala.””
Mom grabbed my shoulder.
“You don't understand what you're doing.””
“Then explain it!””
She leaned close enough that I could smell her perfume.
“If that document becomes public, Brianna could go to prison.””
I stared at her.
“Why?””
Mom's lips trembled.
Then Brianna whispered something that made my blood turn cold.
“Because I didn't sign the ownership statement myself.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
Brianna glanced at Mom.
“She signed my name.””
My mother stepped forward.
“Brianna, stop talking.””
But my sister was already crying.
“She told me it was temporary. She said we'd fix everything after the gala.””
I turned toward Mom.
“You forged her signature?””
Mom's expression hardened.
“I did what I had to do to protect this family.””
Then Daniel appeared at the entrance to the ballroom.
He was carrying a leather briefcase.
And beside him stood a woman wearing a federal investigator's identification badge.
May you like
My mother saw her.
The garment bag slipped from Brianna's hand.
