Hidden By Her Sister, Loved By The Billionaire

Overlooked

Sage POV

As we headed into the private study, which had once been my father's, I could see our family solicitor, Mr Arnold Gunther, sitting at his desk, looking uncomfortable as we entered and sat down. He adjusted his tie nervously. Mr Gunther was an older, mature man, close to our father's age, and had been a good friend of his. He was as devastated by the loss of our parents as we had been. He had a pile of paperwork in front of him and there was a solemn expression on his face. We knew that what he was about to tell us wasn't going to be easy for him, nor was it going to be easy for us to hear, but it had to be done, and prolonging the inevitable wasn't going to do any of us any good.

"Girls," Mr. Gunther said stiffly "first let me offer my condolences on the death of your parents. Your father was a good friend of mine and I'm going to miss him greatly" he paused and for a moment, grief overtook the expression on his face before he blinked and contorted his face back to his professional demeanor "but I'm here to inform you of your parent's wishes regarding the estate and of course your family's company Elite Fashion."

He paused. Sapphire was nodding eagerly whereas I nodded listlessly, barely listening. I stared dumbly down at my hands, twisting them together. Suddenly it seemed surreal. This made it real. They were gone and they were never coming back. I wanted to leave the room but I knew that would be acting immaturely and not like what was expected of a Silverspoon. I could already see Sapphire looking at me sharply. I took deep calming breaths as Mr Gunther cleared his throat and looked between the two of us kindly.

"This might be a little difficult to take," he said delicately as we stared at him "but the majority of the estate has been passed down to Sapphire Silverspoon."

No surprises there, I thought blankly. "The house, and half of your family's fortune which equals over ****," he told us as we listened "and then there's Sage" he added, glancing at me as I picked at a piece of lint on my dress.

"Sage?" Sapphire said, turning to me and frowning "pay attention" she scolded, her lips curving in a small smile "this concerns you as well."

"Sage will also be given half of the family fortune, her inheritance but there are certain stipulations that have been made in regards to you receiving it," he said looking concerned.

"What?" I asked bluntly.

He shifted in his seat. "Your parents have stipulated that you are not to receive your inheritance until you turn twenty-five," he said, glancing at Sapphire whose face was inscrutable.

"But not Sapphire?" I asked, raising a brow.

He sighed "Not Sapphire. I believe there reasoning was that she would take care of you until you were able to receive the inheritance. There is another condition that would allow you to get your inheritance earlier, but I don't think that you..."

My lips curled back "What condition would that be Mr Gunther?"

"You get married," he said quietly "in which case your inheritance would be released to your husband."

Silence. I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it. My parents must have really hated me or thought I was incompetent when it came to money. Out of Sapphire and I though, I was the most frugal, the most careful, never spending money on fripperies or useless items. I didn't understand the logic behind all of this, but who was I to question it? It put me in a precarious position though, having to rely on my sister for everything. Another thing to resent them for, even beyond the grave.

"It's unfair though isn't it," Sapphire said unexpectedly, c*****g her head "putting conditions on Sage's inheritance but not mine? Isn't there something you can do? Why should I be free to spend mine, but Sage has to wait for hers?"

"I'm afraid that the will is ironclad," Mr Gunther said shaking his head "which also leads me to the next part. Moneywise, Sage will have nothing, which would mean..."

"That I would have to get a paying job" I supplied calmly "I'm not opposed to working Mr Gunther, if that's what you're thinking."

He opened his mouth to protest, but Sapphire rushed to interrupt "Sage, don't be that way" she scolded "we'll work something out. this isn't poor Mr Gunther's fault, he's only doing what Mother and Father wanted him to do. He's just doing his job" she said sorrowfully "don't take it out on him."

I turned my head and looked at her incredulously. She was deadly serious, her face flushed. "We'll work something out, Sage. Mr Gunther" she turned to him, an expectant look on her face as he avoided my gaze "what about the company? What about Elite Fashion? Who is to be the head of the company? Mother and Father never got to announce the new successor, but no doubt they left instructions in their will?"

"They did," Mr Gunther said with a small smile "I know how much they were looking forward to that event at the hotel. According to their wishes, they wanted you, Miss Sapphire to be the head of the company and become its next CEO."

Whoosh. The air left my lungs. I wasn't surprised, but I couldn't deny that a small part of me was hurt. Or maybe it was anger, that I had been overlooked once again. I had worked hard, doing incredible things for the company, going above and beyond what was expected of me, while Sapphire coasted or did the bare minimum, and yet, Sapphire had come out on top. She always did. I was the invisible one. I was the one that nobody ever took a closer look at. I might as well have been invisible for all the good it did me. I could feel my chest tightening and tears threatening to spill from my eyes and felt like a horrible person. How could I be so upset over something like this, when my parents weren't even here to defend their actions? Anger was not going to change things, what was done, was done. Sapphire would be the new face of the company and me? I would be in the background like I always was, going about my business. Although now, I mused, maybe I would get a job elsewhere, in order to be able to provide for myself.

"Congratulations Sapphire," I said woodenly.

I saw a small smile play on her lips. Mr Gunther nodded. "As of this moment, the company is in your control, Miss Sapphire. You have the majority of the shares, which gives you the right to change what you want, although" he turned and glanced at me "I do hope that you will continue to use Miss Sage's advice, as I am to understand that she has been monumental in helping to increase the business's profits and create more sustainable practices."

"Oh, I fully intend to" Sapphire exclaimed, looking at me excitedly "I was thinking that there was no possible way I could carry on the family business without my twin sister helping me. She's always been a part of Elite Fashion. It just wouldn't be the same without her" she said blinking her big blue eyes at me as I looked at her in surprise "I've always appreciated how hardworking she is."

Wow. Even Sapphire had noticed me while my parents had been oblivious. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry over that fact. Mr Gunther looked at my sister approvingly. "I'm glad to hear it. I need you both to sign these papers" he pushed them toward us, Sapphire hastily scribbling her name while I took my time, "and these."

He began to push the papers into a neat pile again. "That concluded our business. Your Mother and Father had no other close relatives, such as siblings to contest the will, so I don't anticipate there being a problem" he explained "if you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact me."

"You will of course, continue to be our lawyer?" Sapphire cut in, scrutinizing the man who paused "you've been our lawyer for years, I would like that to continue" she added.

He gave a slow smile. "I would be honored to continue being your lawyer. If that's your desire, I will draw up a contract and get it to you Miss Sapphire" he said bowing his head as she nodded tightly "and thank you for showing such faith in me."

He grabbed the papers in his hands and began to carefully place them into a briefcase, locking it firmly shut as he stood up.

"What happens now?" I asked, lost.

He looked at me sympathetically "Now you begin to rebuild your lives. Your parents are gone, there's no denying that" his voice was choked "but they would be happy knowing that you two girls were taking the reigns and remaining sisters. Elite Fashion is in good hands" he said sincerely "and I have no doubts that you two will continue to build and establish the business, making it grow even further under your leadership. Lean on each other" he advised "because you're the only family you have left. Once again, I'm so sorry for your loss" he murmured, sounding close to tears.

We watched as he almost fled from the room.

Sapphire looked at me. "There will always be a place for you in Elite Fashion," she said quietly, reaching for my hand "Mother and Father wouldn't want you to leave. It's as much a part of you as it is for me. You wouldn't leave me to navigate the company alone, would you? Not after this" her voice was bordering on hysterical.

My heart melted. Sapphire sounded so vulnerable, so upset. I reached for her hand and she grabbed mine as though it was a lifeline. "No" I whispered past the lump in my throat, thinking about what Mr Gunther had said and remembering she was the only family I had left "I would never do that to you Sapphire."

Whatever she needed me for, I would be there. We were twins after all and more than just blood connected us to each other. We gripped each other's hand in silence, both of us lost in our thoughts, neither of us speaking a word.