Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 140

<Chapter 124-

Chapter 124

(Ethan’s POV)

The invitation arrives at Sabrina’s house three days after Grari and Rosalie move out of the penthouse.

Cream cardstock. Embossed lettering. The Hale Foundation logo in the corner.

You are cordially invited to the Annual Hale Foundation Charity Gala…

I hand it to her over breakfast. She’s still in her pajamas, hair pulled back, no makeup. Beautiful in the way that makes my chest ache.

She reads it. Looks up at me.

“This is next weekend.”

“I know.”

“The weekend we were supposed to start planning the wedding.”

“We can do both.”

She sets the invitation down carefully. Too carefully. Like it might explode if she handles it wrong.

“Ethan. Your grandmother will be there.”

“I know that too.”

“And Rosalie. And everyone who was at that dinner. Everyone who already thinks I don’t belong.”

“Which is exactly why we need to go.” I take her hand. “I need to show them-show everyone-that you’re not going anywhere. That we’re getting married whether they approve or not.”

“By parading me in front of them at a gala?”

“By standing beside you in public. Making it clear my decision’is final.”

She pulls her hand away. Stands up. Walks to the window.

Jake is in the living room, already dressed for school, watching cartoons with the volume low. He glances. over when Sabrina moves. I can see the worry in his eyes even from here.

He’s been quiet since the restaurant dinner. More careful. Like he’s walking on eggshells in his own life.

I hate that. Hate that my family did that to a six-year-old.

“What if I say no?” Sabrina asks quietly.

“Then we don’t go.”

“You’d skip the Hale Foundation gala? The one your grandmother has been hosting for thirty years? The one that raises millions for charity?”

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“If you’re not comfortable, yes.”

She turns to face me. “You’d do that? For me?”

“I’d do a lot of things for you, Sabrina. Including staying home from a party where people will judge you.”

She studies me for a long moment. Then sighs.

“We’ll go. But Jake stays here.”

“Sabrina-”

“No. I’m not bringing him to another event where people will look at him like he’s a complication. Where your grandmother will tell him he needs more discipline or better manners or whatever else she decides isn’t good enough.” Her voice is firm. Final. “He can stay with Sophia. Have a normal night. Watch movies. Be a kid.”

I nod. “Okay. Whatever you want.”

“What I want is for this to be over. But I’ll settle for one night without my son being judged.”

The gala is exactly as I remember.

Grand ballroom. Crystal chandeliers. Tables set with china that costs more per plate than most people’s monthly rent. Five hundred of the city’s elite dressed in their finest, ready to donate money and feel good about themselves.

Gran is already here when we arrive. Of course she is. This is her event. Has been since she started the Hale Foundation forty years ago.

She’s holding court near the entrance, greeting guests, accepting compliments on the decorations. She’s in a silver gown that probably cost more than a car, Diamonds at her throat and wrists. Hair perfect. Posture impeccable.

Rosalie is beside her. Also perfect. Also smiling. Playing the role of dutiful granddaughter and co-host.

They both see us the second we walk in.

Gran’s smile doesn’t falter. But I notice the second her eyes go cold.

Sabrina’s hand tightens on my arm.

“I can’t do this,” she whispers.

“Yes, you can. We just walk in. Smile. Make polite conversation. Stay for a few hours. Then leave.”

“Your grandmother is staring at me.”

“Let her stare.”

We move into the room. Heads turn. I can feel the attention shifting. The whispers starting.

That’s her. The divorced one. With the child.

I heard she used to work at his company. How convenient.

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O

She’s pretty enough. But is she Hale material?

tignore it all and keep my hand over Sabrina’s.

We make it to our table. Sit down. I introduce Sabrina to the people around us-executives from other companies, philanthropists, old family friends.

They’re polite. Gracious even.

But I can see the assessment in their eyes. The same assessment Gran had that first night.

Is she good enough? Does she fit? What is Ethan Hale thinking?

Sabrina handles it better than I expected. Shakes hands. Smiles. Answers questions about her work at Hale Global with confidence.

But I can see the strain. The way her shoulders stay tense. The way she doesn’t quite relax even when people are being kind.

Dinner is served. Speeches are made. Gran talks about the foundation’s accomplishments this year. How many families were helped. How many children received scholarships. How many lives were changed.

The crowd applauds. Donates. Writes checks with more zeros than most people see in a lifetime.

It’s all very civilized. Very proper. Very Hale.

And I’m about to blow it up.

I excuse myself during dessert. Walk to the stage where the podium is set up for announcements.

The event coordinator sees me coming. “Mr. Hale? Is there something-”

“I need to make an announcement.”

“Oh. Of course. Just let me check with Mrs. Hale about the schedule-”

“I’m making the announcement now. With or without her permission.”

The coordinator’s eyes widen. But she steps aside.

I take the microphone. Tap it once. The feedback makes people look up.

Kate’s head snaps in my direction. I can see the alarm on her face. She doesn’t know what I’m about to do but she knows it’s not on the program.

Good.

“Sorry to interrupt dessert,” I say into the microphone. My voice carries across the ballroom. Conversations stop. All eyes turn to me. “I know this isn’t on the schedule. But I have an important announcement to make. And I wanted to share it with the people who have supported the Hale Foundation all these years.”

I find Sabrina in the crowd. She’s staring at me with wide eyes. Confused. Maybe a little scared.

“Most of you know me as Ethan Hale. CEO of Hale Global. Heir to the Hale fortune. Grandson of the

Chapter 124-

incredible woman who built all of this.” I gesture to the room. To the foundation. To everything Kate created. “But there’s something else I want you to know about me.”

The room is completely silent now.

“A week from now, I’m getting married. To the woman sitting at table seven in the blue dress who’s currently looking at me like she’s trying to decide if she should be proud or furious.”

Light laughter ripples through the crowd.

Sabrina’s face has gone pale.

“Her name is Sabrina Moore. She’s brilliant. She’s kind. She’s the Creative Director at Hale Global and the

reason our market share increased by seventeen percent this year. She’s also a single mother who raised an incredible six-year-old son named Jake who’s now my adopted son.”

I pause. Let that sink in.

Let everyone absorb the fact that I just publicly claimed a divorced single mother in front of five hundred of the city’s elite.

“I know some of you have questions. Concerns. Opinions about whether she’s appropriate for someone in my position.” My eyes find Kate’s. Hold her gaze. “But here’s what I want to make very clear. Sabrina Moore is the love of my life. And a week from now, I’m going to marry her. Because she’s shown me what family really means. Not bloodline or legacies, but unconditional love. And I want everyone to know she and Jake are my family.”

Violet Moon

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