The price of privilege

Chapter2:The funeral surprise

Kae stared at the letter in her shaking hands, reading the words over and over.

My dearest Kae, by now you've met our father, Beckett Vaughn.

People moved around her in the funeral home, their words a distant hum. Kae couldn't look up. Couldn't face the man who claimed to be her father. It wasn't possible. Mom had always said their father died before they were born.

"Ms. Reyes?" A soft voice broke through her thoughts. "Would you like to sit down?"

Kae finally looked up. A woman with kind eyes and silver-streaked dark hair stood beside her, offering a gentle hand. Her simple black dress was different from the fancy clothes everyone else wore.

"I'm Margaret Wilson," the woman said. "I was a friend of Sage's."

Kae let Margaret lead her to a quiet spot, away from watching eyes. With shaky fingers, she continued reading.

Mom never told us the truth—she fled his world to protect us from something she feared more than poverty. I've been working as his assistant for three years, learning his secrets, knowing the danger.

"This can't be real," Kae whispered.

Margaret pressed a cup of water into her hands. "Drink this, dear. Sage worried about how you would take the news."

"You knew?" Kae asked, anger flashing through her sadness. "You knew she was my sister and you never told me she was working for... for him?"

"Sage made me promise," Margaret explained, her voice low. "She said it was safer if you didn't know. " There's money in my account for you, enough to run. Use it. Love always, Sage.

The last line made Kae's blood turn cold. Run? Run from what?

Before she could ask Margaret any questions, a shadow fell across them. Beckett Vaughn stood there, his expensive suit making him look like he belonged on a magazine cover instead of a funeral home.

"Kalliope," he said, "I know this is a shock. But we need to talk quietly."

"I have nothing to say to you," Kae answered, clutching Sage's letter to her chest.

Beckett's face hardened. "You do if you want to stay alive."

His words hit her like a slap. She looked around the room, suddenly aware of how many people were watching her. Men in dark suits stood by every door, their eyes alert and cold.

"Five minutes," she said finally. "That's all you get."

Beckett led her to a small room at the back of the funeral home. Through the window, Kae could see Sage's body, surrounded by flowers that probably cost more than Kae's monthly rent.

"Your mother never told me she was pregnant," Beckett began, his voice tight with emotion. "She disappeared one day. Left no sign. I searched for years."

"Why should I believe you?" Kae wanted.

"Because Sage did, eventually." He pulled out his wallet and showed her a photo—her mother, young and beautiful, laughing beside a younger Beckett on a beach.

"This proves nothing," Kae said, but her voice trembled. The similarity between her and Beckett was hard to deny—the same blue eyes, the same strong jawline.

"Sage found me three years ago," Beckett continued. "She was determined to know the truth about her family. About why your mother ran."

"And did she find out?" Kae asked.

Something dark crossed Beckett's face. "Yes. And it got her killed."

Kae gasped. "The car accident—"

"Was no accident," Beckett finished grimly. "Your sister was exploring something dangerous. Something related to my business partner, Sebastian Wellesley."

The door opened, and a man entered without knocking. He was tall with wavy dark hair and striking green eyes—the same man who had given Kae the letter.

"The service is about to begin, sir," he said to Beckett, but his eyes were on Kae.

"Thank you, Caspian," Beckett answered. "This is my head of security, Caspian Black. He worked closely with Sage."

Caspian nodded at Kae. "I'm sorry for your loss. Sage spoke of you often."

There was something in his voice that made Kae wonder what else Sage had told him. Before she could ask, Beckett spoke again.

"You need to come stay at my estate in the Hamptons," he said. "It's not safe for you here. Whoever went after Sage might come for you next."

"I'm not going anywhere with you," Kae said, backing toward the door. "I don't even know you."

"Sage trusted me with her life," Caspian said softly. "And she would want me to protect you now."

Kae looked between them, confusion and fear fighting inside her. "I need to think."

The funeral service was a blur. Kae sat in the front row, aware of stares and comments. She barely heard the words spoken about her sister by people who couldn't have known the real Sage—the girl who loved strawberry ice cream and stayed up too late reading mysteries, who cried at sad movies but never when she was actually sad.

When it was over, people lined up to speak with Beckett, treating him like a king. No one seemed to notice Kae slipping outside for air.

The spring sun felt wrong on her face. How could the world be so bright when Sage was gone forever?

"She loved watching the clouds," said a voice behind her.

Kae turned to find Caspian standing there, hands in his pockets.

"How would you know that?" Kae asked.

"She told me. On long drives to the farm." His eyes held real sadness. "Sage trusted me. More than she trusted Beckett."

"Were you and she...?" Kae couldn't finish the question.

"Friends," Caspian said firmly. "She was like a sister to me."

The word "sister" made Kae flinch. "I should have been there for her."

"She was trying to protect you," Caspian insisted. "She found something in Beckett's files—something about your mother and why she ran."

"What was it?"

Caspian glanced around nervously. "Not here. Too many eyes and ears."

A sleek black car pulled up to the curb. The window rolled down, showing a handsome blonde man with cold eyes.

"Caspian," he called. "Father's waiting."

"That's Orion Wellesley," Caspian explained in a low voice. "Sebastian's kid. Be careful around him."

Before Kae could answer, Margaret appeared at her side, pressing a small key into her palm.

"Sage's apartment," she whispered. "Go there before you decide anything. There's something she wanted you to find."

Kae closed her fingers around the key as a tall, silver-haired man emerged from the funeral home—Sebastian Wellesley, she guessed. His eyes locked on her with an intensity that made her shiver.

"I'll send a car for you tomorrow," Beckett said, appearing beside her. "Pack for an extended stay."

"I haven't agreed to anything," Kae reminded him.

Beckett leaned close, his voice barely audible. "Your sister's last words to me were 'Keep Kae safe.' I plan to honor that request, with or without your cooperation."

As Beckett walked away, Caspian pressed a card into Kae'shand. "My secret number. Call me, day or night, if you feel threatened."

Later, alone in her apartment, Kae held Sage's key and Caspian's card, wondering which to believe. She pulled out her phone to search for Sage's address when a text message appeared from an unknown number: DON'T GO TO THE HAMPTONS. Sage found the truth and they killed her for it. Trust no one. They're watching your room right now.

Heart pounding, Kae rushed to her window and looked through the blinds. On the street below, a black car was stopped, its engine running. A man sat inside, looking straight at her building.

Kae backed away from the window, frightened. What had Sage discovered? And how was she going to escape when they were already watching her every move?