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Out.

In again.

I glance back toward the table.

Ella sits between Stanley and an empty chair. My chair. Stanley is speaking again. I can’t hear him from here, but I can see him leaning toward her.

Ella gives a small nod.

I grind my teeth, until⁠—

A hand taps my shoulder.

I almost jump out of my skin.

Martin Ellery stands next to me. “Vexley,” he says. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“You didn’t.” A lie, but who the fuck cares?

“We’re ready for you,” he says. “It’s time for the presentation. The big announcement.”

Right.

The big announcement.

I glance once more toward Ella. She’s cutting another piece of filet.

“Of course,” I say.

Ellery nods. “Wonderful. The video is queued. The microphone is ready.”

I nod and follow him toward the stage.

My father is at the mic, waving me forward. “Thank you all for being here,” he says. “I won’t say much, and I’m sure you’re all grateful for that.”

Laughter from the floor.

“Your generosity is most appreciated, and with that, I’d like to introduce my son, Nathaniel Vexley.”

Applause as I step up beside him. “Thanks, Dad.” I smile and look out over the ballroom.

I find Ella without meaning to. She’s looking at me, meeting my gaze.

I look away. If I don’t, I won’t be able to say what I’m supposed to say.

“Good evening,” I say. “On behalf of the Vexley Foundation, my family, and our board of directors, I want to welcome you and thank you for being here tonight.”

More applause.

“These evenings are beautiful. The food is excellent, the wine is even better, and the flowers… Let’s just say getting them right took three separate meetings and a minor act of bribery.”

A ripple of laughter, even though it wasn’t funny. Seriously, the flowers were a pain in the ass and though my father likes flowers, I couldn’t care less about them.

“But the reason we gather isn’t just to enjoy the décor and the menu. We’re here because people in our community need more than sympathy. They need support. A path forward when illness, injury, addiction, or circumstance has brought them down.”

Murmured agreement from the crowd. As if they give a flying fuck about anyone the Vexley Foundation helps.

“We believe dignity isn’t restored through pity,” I continue. “It’s restored through opportunity. Through care that meets people where they are and helps them move toward where they can be.”