Story code: ST-001104
Part 4: The Broken Bond
Sarah did not wait for an answer. She reached down to the metal utility table, picked up the Lumina Brand Contract, and slid it back into her leather portfolio case. The blue ink of Chloe’s signature was dry, but the document was now zipped away.
‘We are putting the campaign launch on hold,’ Sarah said, her voice devoid of its earlier warmth. ‘We will contact your agency in the morning regarding the representation clauses.’
‘Sarah, wait,’ Chloe said, taking a step forward. ‘My assistant handles the file organization, but the creative direction-‘
‘We pay for original assets created by the signing talent,’ Sarah interrupted, signaling her team. ‘Not outsourced labor presented under a family name. We’re done for the day.’
I began shutting down the primary softbox, the sudden drop in light throwing the studio into a cold, shadow-filled gray. The production assistants moved quickly, packing up the sponsor’s product displays and rolling up the cables. Nobody spoke to Chloe.
Chloe stood by the workstation, her phone already buzzing in her hand. She answered it, pressing the speaker button as she packed her designer handbag with sharp, jerky movements. Her mother’s voice filled the quiet studio space, loud and shrill.
‘Chloe, did the agency call you?’ their aunt asked through the speaker. ‘They said the Lumina deal is flagged. What did Maya do? Did she mess up the files?’
Chloe glanced at Maya, who was quietly folding her tablet stand and placing it into her backpack. ‘Maya wouldn’t unlock the suite,’ Chloe said into the phone, her voice cold. ‘She locked me out of the system right in front of the brand manager.’
‘Maya!’ the voice screamed from the speaker. ‘How could you do this to your cousin? After everything we’ve done for you, you ruin her biggest contract over a password? The deposit was supposed to pay for the family’s shared lease next month.’
Maya did not look up. She zipped her backpack, the metal teeth clicking shut in the quiet room. She adjusted the straps on her shoulders. She did not offer an explanation, and she did not raise her voice.
‘The design license belongs to me,’ Maya said quietly. She looked at Chloe one last time, her expression completely empty of the deference she had shown for the past month. ‘And so do the files.’
Maya turned and walked toward the studio exit. The heavy metal door swung open, letting in a flash of street noise before clicking shut behind her.
Chloe stood alone under the remaining overhead work lights, her phone still buzzing with her mother’s voice demanding answers. She did not answer. She sat down on the edge of the metal table, staring at the spot where the contract had been signed, her hands empty.