Page 10 of Single Dad's Fake Bride
"Perspective colored by resentment," Sterling observed. "You fled this place the moment you could. What makes you think you won't do it again when the responsibility becomes overwhelming?"
I met her gaze without flinching. "Because I have a daughter now. And she deserves better than what I had."
The admission surprised them into momentary quiet.
Caldwell recovered first, his pale eyes narrowing with calculation.
"About your daughter," he said carefully. "She's enrolled here as a day student. Unusual arrangement for a Vale family member."
"Not unusual. Intentional."
I wasn't about to explain my childhood to these people, but they clearly expected some justification.
"Eloise lives at home with me. She has stability, routine, a real family life."
"Because you disapprove of boarding?" Dr. Thornfield asked archly. "The residential program has been central to Hawthorne's mission since 1847."
"The residential program works for many families. It didn't work for mine."
Another uncomfortable silence stretched between us. Caldwell glanced around the table, gathering silent consensus before speaking again.
"Harrison, let me be direct. Several major donors have expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding leadership. The Whitmore Foundation is reconsidering their pledge for the new science building. The Pemberton family has threatened to pull their endowment entirely."
My jaw tightened.
"Because of speculation, or because someone's been feeding them information?"
"Because wealthy families don't like instability," he replied smoothly. "They want assurance that their investments will be managed by someone with proven educational leadership experience."
"Someone like Caroline or Margot."
"Your sisters have remained connected to this community. They understand donor relations, alumni engagement, the delicate balance required to maintain academic excellence while managing competing interests."
I leaned back in my chair, studying the faces around the table.
Every expression conveyed the same message—I was an outsider, an interloper who had forfeited any claim to belonging here.
"The marriage clause," I said abruptly. "You think it's unenforceable."
Dr. Sterling nodded vigorously. "Completely. No modern court would uphold such an antiquated requirement. It's discriminatory, coercive, and morally objectionable."
"But legally binding until challenged," I pointed out.
"Which brings us to our proposal," Caldwell said, sliding a document across the table. "We've consulted with our attorneys. If you voluntarily relinquish your claim to the inheritance, the board can petition for immediate administrative control. Your sisters would receive their intended bequests, and the school would avoid months of legal uncertainty."
I picked up the document but didn't read it.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then we'll be forced to challenge the will ourselves," Dr. Thornfield said grimly. "The process will be messy, expensive,and damaging to the school's reputation. Is that really what you want?"
"What I want is for Hawthorne to remain true to its original mission. Not to become another factory for entitled brats whose parents buy their way to success."
The words hit their target.
Dr. Sterling's face flushed with indignation.
"That's an insulting characterization of our students and their families," she snapped. "We maintain the highest academic standards?—"
