Chapter 14: The Father Who Sold His Daughter's Future
The amount on the document seemed unreal.
One hundred eighty-four thousand, six hundred dollars.
Money my mother had saved for my education.
Money that should have been waiting for me when I turned eighteen.
Money that could have paid for fashion school without a scholarship.
I looked at the account history.
The withdrawals began when I was twelve.
Small amounts at first.
Then larger transfers.
By the time I reached sixteen, almost the entire balance had disappeared.
I turned toward my father.
"You took my mother's money?""
He rubbed his forehead.
"I used it to support the family.""
"Which family?""
"Our family!""
"You mean your business?""
He didn't answer.
Caroline placed another sheet on the table.
"Most of the funds went into Carter Construction. The remaining amount was transferred to a private holding company.""
Grandma looked devastated.
"Richard, that money was for Nia.""
"I intended to repay it.""
"When?"" I asked.
"When the company recovered.""
"You had six years!""
He raised his voice.
"I was trying to keep a roof over your head!""
I shook my head.
"You kept telling me there wasn't enough money for fashion school. You watched me work weekends to buy fabric. You watched me skip meals to save for materials.""
My voice cracked.
"And all that time, you were spending the money Mom left me?""
He looked down.
I felt something inside me finally go quiet.
Not forgiveness.
Not acceptance.
Just the realization that the father I'd spent years trying to impress had never been protecting my future.
He had been spending it.
Vanessa moved closer to him.
"Richard, say something.""
He looked at her.
"Not now.""
She grabbed his arm.
"You told me everything was handled!""
Caroline turned toward her.
"Perhaps you should explain your own involvement.""
Vanessa froze.
"What?""
Caroline removed a bank statement.
"Three payments were made to a restoration company from your personal account. The same company that reconstructed Brianna's gown.""
Vanessa's expression changed.
I looked at her.
"You paid them?""
She crossed her arms.
"I was helping my daughter.""
"With stolen designs?""
"I didn't know the history.""
Brianna suddenly stepped forward.
"Mom, stop lying.""
Vanessa stared at her.
Brianna was crying, but her voice remained firm.
"You told me Nia had signed the transfer. You showed me a document and said Dad had taken care of everything.""
"Because he had!""
"Then why did you tell me to wear the gown before the ownership review?""
Vanessa looked away.
Brianna wiped her cheeks.
"You knew it wasn't mine.""
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"Don't you dare turn against me after everything I've done for you.""
Brianna shook her head.
"You taught me that getting what I wanted mattered more than being honest. I thought that was how successful people behaved.""
She looked at me.
"I'm sorry, Nia.""
I couldn't answer immediately.
She had deliberately worn my stolen gown.
She had laughed when it was destroyed.
She had watched me suffer while pretending she deserved everything I had created.
An apology couldn't erase that.
But I could see that she finally understood what she'd done.
"I don't know if I can forgive you," I said.
Brianna nodded.
"I understand.""
Caroline turned toward me.
"There's one more thing.""
She opened the final folder.
Inside was a notarized document confirming the ownership of the Midnight Monarch and the Transformation Collection.
My mother's signature appeared beside Daniel's.
The collection belonged to me.
And there was a second document establishing that the $100,000 scholarship fund was separate from the competition's general prize.
Elise Monroe's name appeared as the independent trustee.
I looked at Caroline.
"Why was Elise involved?""
"Daniel trusted her. He wanted the scholarship administered by someone who understood fashion and wouldn't let money influence the selection.""
My phone rang.
Elise.
I answered immediately.
"Nia, where are you?""
"At my father's house.""
"Are you safe?""
I looked around the office.
"Yes. I found the original documents.""
Elise exhaled.
"Good. The competition committee has completed its preliminary review. Your entry has been reinstated.""
I closed my eyes.
"And Brianna?""
"Her entry has been withdrawn pending the ownership investigation. The judges also want to speak with you about Daniel's scholarship.""
I looked at the document.
"When?""
"Tomorrow morning. The final runway presentation is at ten.""
"I'll be there.""
Elise paused.
"Nia, there's something else. The judges have reviewed the photographs of your butterfly gown alongside the original Midnight Monarch. They believe your construction is a continuation of your mother's work, not a copy.""
My eyes filled.
"Really?""
"Yes. And the committee wants you to present the story behind it.""
I looked at the sewing machine pattern in my grandmother's bag.
"I'd be honored.""
When I ended the call, my father was standing by the desk.
"You're going to destroy me.""
I looked at him.
"No, Dad. You did that yourself.""
He approached slowly.
"Nia, we can work this out. I'll repay the money. I'll transfer the designs back. We don't need to involve lawyers.""
Caroline shook her head.
"That's no longer your decision.""
Grandma stood.
"Richard, you need to answer for what happened to Elizabeth.""
He looked at me one final time.
"I'm still your father.""
I held his gaze.
"And she was still your wife.""
He flinched.
Then I picked up the documents and walked out.
Outside, Maya was waiting beside her car.
She opened the passenger door.
"Ready?""
I looked back at the house.
For years, I'd believed leaving that place meant losing my family.
Now I understood that sometimes the people who share your last name aren't the people who deserve your loyalty.
"Yes," I said.
As we drove away, Brianna sent me a message.
*I know I don't deserve anything from you. But if you ever need someone to tell the truth about what happened, I'll do it.*
I didn't reply.
Not yet.
My attention was on the garment bag beside me.
Inside was the Midnight Monarch.
My mother's unfinished dream.
My uncle's forgotten legacy.
And the dress that had brought me to the edge of losing everything.
Tomorrow, I would walk onto that runway.
May you like
But this time, I wouldn't be walking to prove I deserved a place in the fashion world.
I'd be walking to finish what my mother started.
