“I do,” I say. “The Bellamy Foundation is a non-profit. It's separate from the business holdings—my family has interests in multiple industries. Each cousin manages different sectors, but we all share ownership in the overall conglomerate. I chose the foundation. The others think I'm wasting my MBA, but I'd rather change lives than maximize quarterly earnings.”
The silence stretches.
“But yes, my family has significant resources,” I add.
“How significant?” Michael asks—direct, not unkind.
I meet his eyes. “Significant enough that ‘billionaire’ is accurate.”
Rebecca's eyes widen as she sets her wine glass down.
“Huh,” Tom says, looking at Holly like she's grown a second head.
Michael's expression doesn't change, but his posture shifts—straightening almost imperceptibly—the way it does when an important client walks into the bakery.
Marie looks around the table, confused. “So it IS a bad word?”
“No, sweetheart,” Holly says. “It's not a bad word. Just ... a lot of money.”
“Oh.” Marie considers this. “Does that mean you're rich?”
“Marie,” Emma warns.
“It's okay,” I say. “Yes. My family is wealthy.”
“Cool,” Marie says, and goes back to her chicken like this is settled.
The adults are still processing.
"Okay," Holly says. "This is weird, I know. I should have told you all before bringing him?—"
“I should have said something earlier,” I say, looking at Michael and Rebecca. “I wasn't trying to hide anything. It's not usually the first thing I lead with.”
“I can understand that,” Michael says slowly.
The conversation restarts, but it's different now. More careful. Rebecca asks polite questions about the foundation. Tom mentions reading about tech philanthropy.
They're being kind.
Holly catches my eye across the table. She doesn't look embarrassed. If anything, she looks relieved. Like she's glad the secret is out.
* * *
I'm helping clear plates when Michael pulls me aside in the kitchen.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Holly's worked hard to build her business. Everything she has, she earned.” He's choosing his words carefully. “I need to know—is this arrangement with you going to help her career, or hurt it?”
“I'm sorry?”
“The fake dating thing.” He says it matter-of-fact. “Emma told us. We're not blind—you two are clearly fond of each other. But underneath that, there was a deal. You help each other professionally.”
My face must show my surprise because he adds, “She told Emma about needing introductions in certain social circles, the Durst Group and whatnot. Emma told Rebecca. Rebecca told me.”
“So I'm asking,” Michael continues. “Is being associated with you—with your wealth, your world—going to help her business or make people think she’s only succeeding because she's dating a billionaire?”
