Page 46 of The Billionaire I Left Behind

I whip around, narrowing my eyes. “This was your idea, wasn’t it?” His lips twitch, but he doesn’t confirm or deny. Nate claps him on the back. “I mean, he was very convincing.”

I don’t know what to say. My throat tightens, my heart hammering with too many emotions at once.

Bryan, as if sensing my hesitation, speaks quietly. “This is for your clinic. You've always dreamed of this.”

His words hit deeper than I expect. I exhale, finally taking the envelope. “Thank you. Thank you, both.”

Nate grins. “That’s what we like to hear.”

Liam gives me a wink before stepping away, and before I can process anything further, Stella swoops in, pulling me into a hug.

“You did it!” she beams. “And don’t even try to thank me. This is all you.” I shake my head. “I couldn’t have done it without everyone here.”

She pulls back, winking. “Well, we all knew you could.”

Another wave of emotion swells in my chest, but before I can get completely caught up in it, Stella nudges me toward the makeshift stage.

“Speech time.”

Oh. Right.

My pulse kicks up a notch, but I push through the nerves as I step onto the platform. The microphone crackles as I adjust it, and suddenly, every eye in the room is on me.I can do this.

I clear my throat. “First, I need to thank a few people. Stella, Claire, Pearl, you three have been my backbone through all ofthis.” Scattered applause fills the room, Pearl dabbing at her eyes in the front row.

I swallow, and my gaze unintentionally flickers back to Bryan. He’s still watching me, still holding that unreadable look, and I hate that my heart stumbles over itself. “And…” My voice catches. “Bryan.”

His jaw twitches slightly. “Thank you,” I say softly. He doesn’t move, doesn’t react much at all. But I see it. The way his fingers curl slightly, the way his chest rises and falls in a deeper breath.

Turning back to the crowd, I focus. “This clinic,” I say, voice stronger now, “is for Ocean Bay. For every animal that deserves care. For every pet owner who shouldn’t have to drive miles away for treatment. For every stray that needs a second chance.”

A murmur of agreement spreads through the room. I grip the mic tighter. “And, personally? It’s for me. Because I lost my cat, Whiskers, when I was ten. We didn’t have the resources we needed here. And I promised myself that one day, I’d change that.”

I continue with my speech over the next few minutes as applause erupts, with cheers and whistles ringing through the air. “And folks, I want to especially thank another man who has given so much of his life to all the towns around here, including Ocean Bay and its animals. The fact that Doc Wheeler from Laylow Bay is here supporting my cause makes me feel so blessed. Will you all raise your hands to this wonderful man?"

I step off the stage after thanking everyone else for their support. Stella immediately throws her arms around me. “You killed it!”

I laugh, tension easing slightly. But as I scan the room, I find Bryan still standing where he was before. Still watching. Still here.

And for some reason, seeing him fills me with an unexplainable joy.

***

The community center is quieter now, the chatter and excitement of the day fading into the hum of the ocean just beyond the doors. Most of the volunteers have packed up, leaving behind half-stacked chairs and scattered raffle tickets littering the floor.

I tug off my apron, dusting flour from the front, and stretch my sore arms. My body hums with exhaustion, but my heart is still racing from today’s turnout. From him.

Bryan. And yes, he’s still here.

I hesitate in the doorway of the back room, spotting him near a stack of crates, sweeping … sleeves rolled up, hair slightly messy, movements steady. He doesn’t look like a billionaire, like the man who built an empire. Right now, he looks… calm, effortless. Just a guy doing his part, grounding himself in something simple. Why is he still here?

Buddy is sprawled near a pile of donation boxes, his tail flicking in lazy contentment. He barely lifts his head when I step closer.

“Didn’t expect you here still,” I say, voice light, masking the sudden tightness in my chest.

Bryan glances up mid-sweep, one brow lifting. “Just about to leave.” That’s it. That’s all he says.

I almost roll my eyes. Of course, he wouldn’t just say that he just wanted to stay and see this through with me. But I feel it. It’s there, between the unspoken words, the way he’s still sweeping long after everyone else has left.

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