Love That Drifted Away

The night before the design competition, my husband took my design draft, promising to secure a patent to protect my work.

In the intense competition, my work stood out and won first place.

During the award ceremony, I walked on stage wearing the necklace that my daughter and I had made together.

Suddenly, my seven-year-old daughter rushed up to the stage, screaming, "Mom, how could you steal Veronica's necklace? That's horrible and embarrassing. Just come down and go home with me."

My mind went blank in an instant.

I stared at Gina Hall, the daughter I'd poured my heart into. Cameras flashed, capturing my humiliation.

Finally, I found my voice. "Do you have to ruin me like this?"

Plagiarism was the greatest stain on any designer's career. Now I was accused of it, and the one making the accusation was my daughter.

This was something we had made together. She had watched me painstakingly work on it.

She'd only spoken to Veronica Kelley briefly before the ceremony. That was all it took for her to slander me before the whole design world.

Julia Russo, my mentor and the award presenter, eyed me with scrutiny. The trophy I'd dreamed of was within reach.

I forced a smile, reaching out my hand. "Thank you, Julia."

Her expression froze, and she stepped back, leaving my hand hanging in mid-air.

A chill spread through me, and my lips started to tremble.

"You're a thief!" Gina screamed. "I don't have a mother like you."

She pushed me and collapsed, sobbing. "My teacher said lying is wrong. You're a liar!"

Her words broke me. My legs gave out, and I sank to the stage.

A tear slid down my cheek as I realized my career was ruined.

Cameras clicked, immortalizing my shame. "We made this together, Gina. Don't you remember?"

Her shoulders shook, and she cried out, "Stop lying! I can't let you hurt Veronica."

She lay on the ground crying pitifully. The princess dress I'd carefully chosen for her this morning still adorned her. "You're lying!"

I grabbed her shoulders, desperate. "Why are you doing this? Why?"

Julia, alarmed, smashed the trophy on my head. Pain erupted, my vision blurred, and my ears rang.

"She's bleeding," someone shouted.

I reached up and felt blood on my forehead.

Frightened by the scene, Gina hid in Julia's embrace.

The elderly woman, who had always been kind, glared at me. "Ingrid, take responsibility. Even a child knows that."

All this time, I had tried so hard. All I wanted was the approval of Julia, who was like a mother to me, but in the end, my daughter undid it all.

Before passing out, I saw Jeff Hall marching up the stage with an angry face, followed by his first love, Veronica.

I didn't get it.

Jeff was my husband, but he wouldn't believe me. Gina was my daughter, yet she lied to help Veronica.

Their accusations continued, but I couldn't hear them anymore.

My heart was dead, and I was done with them.