Page 105 of Single Dad's Fake Bride
She was instantly alert, pushing herself up on her elbow, her brown eyes wide and cautious. "And?"
"We won." I reached for her, pulling her against my chest. "The judge threw out the case completely. It's over, Sadie. Really over."
She was quiet for a long moment, and when I looked down, tears were streaming silently down her cheeks.
"Really?" she whispered. "They can't challenge it anymore?"
"Really. The marriage is legally recognized, the inheritance is secure, and Eloise gets to stay at Hawthorne for as long as she wants."
She buried her face against my chest, her shoulders shaking with the release of months of held anxiety. I held her tightly, running my hand through her hair and marveling at how it felt to finally breathe freely again.
"I was so afraid I'd ruined everything yesterday," she said against my shirt. "Throwing up in front of the judge."
"You didn't ruin anything." I tilted her chin up so she had to look at me. "You proved we were real. He saw a husband taking care of his pregnant wife, not a business arrangement."
She kissed me then, soft and sweet and full of relief and gratitude and love that made my chest ache in the best possible way.
By nine o'clock, the news had spread through Hawthorne's administrative offices with the speed of wildfire. Dr. Caldwell had called an emergency assembly for the high school, ostensibly to celebrate my birthday but really to address the elephant in the room that had been disrupting the school's equilibrium for months.
The auditorium was packed beyond capacity. Students filled every seat, their voices creating a buzz of excitement and speculation. Faculty members lined the walls and side sections,some looking genuinely relieved, others professionally neutral. The entire board of trustees sat in the front row, their faces carefully composed.
I stood backstage, adjusting my tie for the third time and trying to calm nerves. This wasn't just about sharing good news—it was about claiming my place as headmaster definitively, in front of everyone who'd questioned my legitimacy.
Dr. Sterling appeared beside me, clipboard in hand. "Ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
She squeezed my shoulder. "You've earned this moment, Harrison. Enjoy it." It felt odd taking praise from someone who had so vehemently opposed me only weeks ago, but I didn't let the awkward sensation tighten my chest.
When she introduced me, the applause was polite but reserved. I walked to the podium feeling the weight of hundreds of eyes tracking my movement, assessing my demeanor, looking for signs of weakness or uncertainty.
"Thank you all for being here today," I began, my voice carrying clearly through the auditorium's sound system. "I know Dr. Caldwell arranged this assembly as a birthday celebration, but I have some news I wanted to share with our entire school community first."
The conversations died away completely. Even the youngest students seemed to sense the gravity of the moment.
"Yesterday, the Superior Court ruled on the legal challenge to my father's will. Judge Morrison dismissed the case entirely, affirming that all terms have been met and that my position as headmaster is legally secure."
The applause that followed was scattered at first, then built as students began to cheer. I noticed the adult faces remained more guarded—some showing relief, others calculation, a few barely concealed disappointment.
"I want everyone here to understand that my commitment to Hawthorne Academy is absolute and unwavering. This school has been my home since childhood, and I intend to honor both its proud traditions and its potential for continued excellence in the years ahead."
I paused, scanning the crowd until I found Sadie in the faculty section. She was watching me with unmistakable pride, one hand resting protectively over her stomach. The sight of her gave me courage for what came next.
"I also want to share some wonderful personal news. My wife and I are expecting our first child together. The baby is due in early summer, and we couldn't be more thrilled to expand our family."
This time the applause was genuinely warm. Several students actually whooped, and I caught sight of a few board members who looked upset but resigned.
"Hawthorne Academy has always been about more than academics," I continued. "It's about building character, fostering intellectual curiosity, and creating a community where every student can discover their potential. That mission remains unchanged under my leadership."
When I stepped back from the podium, the applause was sustained and genuine. But I'd been around long enough to read the room—I'd won the legal battle, but winning over every member of this community would require time, consistency, and results they could measure.
The reception afterward was a masterclass in polite New England social dynamics. I spent over an hour in the lobby shaking hands and accepting congratulations that ranged from genuinely enthusiastic to diplomatically correct.
"Wonderful news, Harrison!" Mr. Henderson from development pumped my hand with real enthusiasm. "Theuncertainty has been difficult for everyone. We're thrilled to be working with you long-term."
Mrs. Ashford from the alumni association offered a much more restrained response. "Congratulations on the ruling," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I do hope this puts all the disruption behind us. Institutional stability is so crucial for maintaining donor confidence."
The board members were individually polite but collectively watchful. Dr. Caldwell approached me near the end, when most people had filtered back to their offices and classrooms.
