Knowles describes Destiny’s Child’s early success. Around this time, Knowles began doing the group’s hair, makeup, and styling. She started carrying “a needle and thread with [her] at all times” (253), sure that Agnes would be proud. However, she soon discovered that her life was too hectic. One night, she closed up Headliners, gave Abel the key, and told him he could have the business. She would now focus on Destiny’s Child full-time.

Knowles began encountering conflicts over her styling choices for Destiny’s Child. She soon realized that the label thought their hair and makeup was too Black. She always pushed back and spoke up for herself and the girls. She also noticed how many designers were mimicking her work.

Meanwhile, Knowles worried about Solange, who didn’t want to travel with Destiny’s Child and preferred to stay in Houston with Cheryl’s family. Knowles tried to visit whenever she could, but soon realized that spontaneous visits upset Solange. She thrived on consistency and order.

Johnny’s condition worsened. Knowles visited him as often as possible. He died in July 1998. Beyoncé, Kelly, and Solange were devastated by the loss, as their therapist had also died from AIDS and they’d grown up with Johnny.

When Destiny’s Child lost two of their dancers, they temporarily broke up. Beyoncé and Mathew were devastated. Eventually, Knowles told Beyoncé she had to stop grieving and pick herself up. Together, the family auditioned new dancers and relaunched the group. However, the girls continued facing adversity. While other white singers were given preferential treatment, Destiny’s Child was inconvenienced, excluded, or actively threatened. They stayed strong throughout.

The label began picking on Destiny’s Child, and Knowles specifically. They still didn’t approve of how she dressed and styled the girls. Knowles refused to back down. She was determined for the girls “to draw strength from […] their relatives and history” (281).

Solange began showing more interest in making music. Knowles reminded her she’d have to work hard if she was serious. Meanwhile, Destiny’s Child continued thriving. Around this time, Beyoncé met and started seeing Jay-Z Carter. Knowles immediately warmed to Jay-Z and realized how much he and his family cared for Beyoncé. Knowles also noticed how different Beyoncé’s life was: They couldn’t go anywhere without being recognized.

In 2003, Destiny’s Child split up and each girl began working on solo projects. When Beyoncé brought her album to Sony, they declined to offer her a deal, claiming none of the songs would be a hit. They wouldn’t accept the album until she included Jay-Z on one of the tracks. The album was a success, with five hit songs.

Solange put out her first album. It did well but the label was disappointed that she wasn’t a mini Beyoncé. Solange had a different aesthetic and vision. She ended up using her college fund to fund her next project. Meanwhile, she started seeing Daniel Smith. One night, Solange was supposed to go to a football game with her friend Marsai. She ended up driving Daniel’s godfather’s daughter to a different game while Marsai went to the football game alone. Solange then got a call that Marsai had been shot and killed. A fight had broken out at the game: One man shot at another, missed, and hit Marsai.

Knowles tried to support Solange through her grief. She had already lost her therapist and Johnny, and Marsai’s death devastated her. Not long after, 17-year-old Solange told Knowles she was pregnant. She wanted to keep the baby, leave the entertainment industry, and start a family with Daniel. Knowles was upset, but supported Solange.

Around this time, she and Mathew split up again and Knowles bought a new house, hoping Solange and Daniel would move in. However, her and Mathew’s separation didn’t last, as Knowles felt incapable of being on her own.

Knowles was determined to give Solange a special wedding. One night, she gave Solange a recipe over the phone and they got into an argument. When Knowles slammed the phone down, she hit a pan of hot oil and it dumped all over her leg. She was in the hospital for some time. The doctors wanted her to rest longer, but Knowles refused to miss Solange’s baby’s birth. Not long after Julez was born, Daniel got a football contract and the family moved to Idaho.

Knowles reflects on Solange’s life in Moscow, Idaho. She was only 18, but she seemed to be using this quiet era of her life to grieve, heal, and develop.

Around this time, Knowles and Beyoncé launched their clothing line, House of Deréon. It catered to women of all shapes and sizes and was an immediate success. She and Beyoncé spent more time together during this era too.

When Beyoncé and Jay-Z got engaged, Knowles surprised Beyoncé with a handmade wedding dress. After the wedding, Knowles helped Beyoncé start her own business. She gave her the advice she would have wanted.

Knowles and Mathew went through another separation. Before Beyoncé’s I Am…Tour, Knowles told Mathew she didn’t want him coming. On the tour, an interviewer asked Beyoncé if she got her kindness and generosity from her parents; she solely credited Knowles.

Not long after, Knowles was publicly humiliated when word spread that Mathew had gotten his mistress pregnant. She filed for divorce, convinced this was the end.

Not long after Knowles filed for divorce, she and Mathew started seeing each other again. She took a trip to Houston and they met up in secret. Then Beyoncé, Kelly, and Solange appeared, surprising Knowles in Houston because they didn’t want her to be alone. She told them about her and Mathew. They were upset and confused. Not long later, she met with two therapists about her marriage conflict. She decided to divorce Mathew after all.

Mathew finally signed the divorce papers and Knowles filed them. Three months later, she finalized the divorce. Instead of feeling relieved, she was numb. However, she could still feel her heart beating: It was like a small bird inside of her reminding her she was alive.