Chapter 6 - The Broken Foundation
Two weeks passed. The legal pressure Victoria exerted began to produce undeniable cracks in the Sterling family's polished veneer.
Brandon’s logistics company, Sterling Transport, was hit with our copyright demand letter. Because my designs were embedded into every aspect of his business—from the vinyl wraps on his delivery trucks to his corporate website and investor pitch decks—he couldn't simply swap them out overnight. Replacing his entire brand identity would cost him upwards of $80,000 and take months he didn't have, especially with an upcoming investor funding round scheduled for the end of the month.
To make matters worse, Victoria successfully obtained a court order freezing the $12,000 Brandon had stolen from our joint account, forcing him to pay his corporate legal fees out of his personal pocket.
On a rainy Thursday morning, I received a call from an unexpected number. It was Brandon’s mother, Evelyn Sterling.
Unlike her husband and son, Evelyn had always been a quiet, distant woman who mostly kept out of family affairs. Her voice was hesitant when I answered.
"Naomi... hello," she said softly.
"Mrs. Sterling," I replied formally. "If this is regarding the legal proceedings, you need to speak to my attorney, Victoria Vance."
"It isn't about the lawyers, Naomi," Evelyn sighed, her tone heavy with exhaustion. "I am calling as a mother. Can I please see you for twenty minutes? I'm sitting in my car outside your apartment complex."
I hesitated, looking out the window. A silver Mercedes was parked near the entrance. I decided to hear her out, agreeing to meet her at the small café across the street.
When we sat down with our tea, Evelyn looked thoroughly drained. The flawless, upper-class posture she usually maintained seemed broken.
"I didn't know about the voicemail until yesterday," Evelyn began, looking down at her hands. "Richard and Brandon kept it from me. They told me you threw a tantrum because Brianna made a mistake with your mother's hair."
"They lied to you," I said simply.
"I know," Evelyn admitted, tears glistening in her eyes. "I listened to the recording yesterday after Brandon received the court papers. I was appalled, Naomi. Truly appalled. To treat your mother—a woman who spent months hand-sewing your dress—like an obstacle to be scrubbed away... it is shameful."
"Why are you telling me this now, Evelyn?" I asked gently.
"Because Brandon is spiraling," she whispered. "His father is pushing him to fight you in court, but the investors for his new expansion are getting nervous about the copyright claims and the public optics. His business is going to stall if you don't grant him a temporary license for the branding."
"Brandon chose this path when he allowed Brianna to chop my mother's hair and when he stood by while Waylon shoved her," I said firmly. "I am not releasing my copyright, Evelyn. Actions have consequences."
Evelyn nodded slowly, unexpected understanding in her eyes. "I know. And honestly... I don't blame you. Richard has run our family with an iron fist for thirty years, teaching Brandon that money excuses cruelty. I let it happen in my own home for decades."
She reached into her purse and pulled out a small, velvet box, sliding it across the table toward me.
"What is this?" I asked.
"It was my grandmother's brooch," Evelyn said softly. "I had intended to give it to you on your wedding night as a heirloom. I know you returned the engagement ring, but I want you to have this. Not as a Sterling... but as Naomi. A woman who had the strength to stand up to men who think they own the world."
I looked at the delicate silver brooch, touched by her gesture.
"And Naomi..." Evelyn added, her eyes fixing on mine with deep maternal concern. "I know about the baby."
May you like
My blood ran cold. "How?"
"I saw the prenatal vitamin bottle in your handbag when you visited our home three weeks ago," Evelyn revealed gently. "I haven't told Brandon or Richard. And I won't, until you are ready."
