Chapter 8: The Price of Standing Up
Nia picked up the envelope with trembling fingers.
Inside was a short note.
*Since you refuse to help this family, you no longer need the sewing equipment I purchased for you. Consider this the end of our arrangement.*
Nia read it twice.
Then she looked around the room.
Her sewing machine was gone.
So were the scissors, the thread boxes, the fabric storage containers, and the small lamp she used when working late.
Even her grandmother's old measuring tape had disappeared.
Olivia entered behind her.
"What happened?""
Nia handed her the note.
Olivia read it and shook her head.
"She can't just take everything.""
"She says she bought it.""
"Did she?""
Nia looked at the empty table.
"The machine was a birthday present from Grandma.""
Olivia's expression changed.
"Then she has no right to take it.""
Nia walked toward the wardrobe.
Her original sketchbook was still there, but several loose drawings were missing.
She checked the folders again.
Some photographs had disappeared.
Her mother hadn't simply taken the sewing equipment.
She had removed anything that might help Nia prove the history of her work.
Olivia immediately began taking photographs of the room.
"Let's document everything.""
Nia nodded.
Her phone rang.
It was Evelyn.
"Nia, are you available?""
"Yes.""
"I need you to come to the boutique. Maya is here.""
Nia looked at Olivia.
"What's happening?""
Evelyn lowered her voice.
"She's presenting the cream dress as her original design.""
Nia closed her eyes.
Of course she was.
"I'll be there.""
Twenty-five minutes later, Nia entered the boutique.
Maya stood near the consultation table wearing a pink blazer and holding a portfolio.
Their mother sat beside her.
The moment Maya saw Nia, she stiffened.
"What is she doing here?""
Evelyn remained calm.
"I invited her.""
Their mother stood.
"This is a private business meeting.""
"Correct," Evelyn replied.
"And I decide who participates.""
Maya placed her portfolio on the table.
"Can we please focus on my collection?""
Evelyn nodded.
"Certainly. Maya, I'd like you to explain the construction of the cream dress.""
Maya smiled confidently.
"Of course. I wanted something timeless but modern. The fitted waist creates a feminine silhouette, while the skirt adds movement.""
Evelyn listened.
"Interesting. What material did you use for the internal support panel?""
Maya blinked.
"The what?""
"The hidden panel inside the waist.""
Maya glanced at her mother.
"That's just part of the structure.""
"Yes. What material did you choose?""
Maya adjusted her blazer.
"I'd have to check.""
Evelyn picked up a photograph.
"Did you use the same material throughout the bodice?""
"Mostly.""
"Then how did you distribute the skirt's weight?""
Maya hesitated.
"I used reinforced stitching.""
"Which type?""
Maya looked increasingly uncomfortable.
"Standard reinforced stitching.""
Evelyn nodded.
"Could you explain how you constructed the diagonal support seam?""
Maya's lips parted.
She didn't answer.
Their mother intervened.
"Maya is more focused on the creative side. She doesn't need to explain every technical detail.""
Evelyn turned toward her.
"Then perhaps she can explain the design inspiration.""
Maya quickly responded.
"I wanted the dress to represent elegance and confidence.""
Evelyn placed Nia's original sketch beside the photograph.
"And where did you develop this particular waist structure?""
Maya looked at the drawing.
Her face lost color.
"I don't remember.""
Nia finally spoke.
"I designed it.""
Maya turned sharply.
"Nobody asked you.""
Evelyn raised one hand.
"I did ask her to attend.""
Their mother stepped closer.
"You're making this unnecessarily complicated. The dress belongs to Maya now.""
Evelyn looked at her.
"Ownership of the physical garment and authorship of the design are two different matters.""
The room went silent.
Nia watched her mother.
For once, the woman had no clever response.
Evelyn opened a folder.
"Miss Carter provided dated photographs, original sketches, and construction notes. They show the development of the dress over several weeks.""
Maya shook her head.
"She could have copied my ideas.""
Nia looked at her.
"Your ideas?""
"Yes.""
Nia reached into her bag and removed a photograph.
It showed her standing beside the unfinished dress three weeks before Maya had ever worn it.
The date was visible.
Then she placed another photograph beside it.
The completed dress.
Finally, she showed the original sketch.
Evelyn examined the documents.
"These are consistent with the design shown in the competition submission.""
Maya looked toward her mother.
"Mom, say something.""
Their mother stood stiffly.
"She is my daughter. We shouldn't be discussing this in front of strangers.""
Evelyn closed the folder.
"Then you should have discussed it before presenting someone else's work as your own.""
Maya's eyes filled with tears.
"You don't understand. I needed this opportunity.""
Nia stared at her.
"So did I.""
Maya shook her head.
"You already won the competition. You have your prize money.""
Nia's voice cracked.
"The prize is for my eye treatment. It doesn't mean I suddenly have everything.""
Their mother crossed her arms.
"You're always making everything about yourself.""
Nia turned toward her.
"You took my machine. You took my drawings. You gave Maya my dress. And now you're angry because someone finally asked who made it.""
Her mother stepped forward.
"Watch your tone.""
Nia didn't move.
"No.""
One word.
Quiet.
Firm.
Her mother looked genuinely stunned.
Evelyn stood.
"I think we should pause this meeting.""
Maya grabbed her portfolio.
"You're making a mistake.""
Evelyn replied calmly.
"No. I'm making a decision based on the information presented to me.""
Maya turned toward Nia.
"You think you've won?""
Nia looked at her.
"I never wanted to compete with you.""
Maya's expression twisted.
"That's easy to say when everyone gives you sympathy.""
Nia lowered her eyes.
She had nothing left to prove in that room.
She turned toward the door.
Then Evelyn called her back.
"Miss Carter?""
Nia stopped.
"I'd like you to return tomorrow with your portfolio. I still want to discuss the collection.""
Nia nodded.
"Thank you.""
As she walked out, she heard Maya whisper to their mother.
"You promised she wouldn't be able to prove anything.""
Nia stopped.
She turned slowly.
Their mother grabbed Maya's arm.
"Not another word.""
Nia stared at them.
There it was again.
Another secret.
Another sentence that made no sense unless there was something bigger happening.
She left without asking.
Outside, Olivia was waiting.
"How did it go?""
Nia took a long breath.
"Evelyn believes me.""
Olivia smiled.
"Good.""
"But my mother took everything from my room.""
Olivia's expression darkened.
"We'll get it back.""
Nia looked toward the boutique window.
For the first time, she could see a future that didn't depend on her family's approval.
Then her phone rang.
It was the eye clinic.
"Hello, Miss Carter. We're calling to confirm your upcoming examination.""
Nia's heart lifted.
"Yes, I'm ready.""
"Excellent. We also received the award documentation from the showcase committee. We can discuss your treatment options during the appointment.""
Nia smiled.
"Thank you.""
But the receptionist continued.
"There's one additional matter. The committee has asked us to verify a detail regarding your prize eligibility.""
Nia frowned.
"What detail?""
"The original design documentation.""
Her smile disappeared.
"Why?""
The receptionist hesitated.
May you like
"We received a complaint claiming that the winning dress was based on another designer's work.""
Nia went completely still.
