Chapter 57
Chapter fifty-seven
Cam
The second Haddie Carmichael steps down from the stand, the room is a living, breathing ball of small-town electricity.
People are whispering, smiling, and nudging each other like they just watched the best show Cedar Falls has seen since the Harvest Parade float caught fire seven years ago.
The judge clears his throat, visibly fighting a smile. “That was…thorough, Ms. Carmichael. Thank you for your contribution.”
Haddie beams like she just won an award. “Always happy to serve, Your Honor.”
As she settles back into the gallery, she waves at Brynn, Kinsey, and Knox like they’re her entourage. Brynn’s biting her lip to keep from laughing, Kinsey’s full-on crying, and Knox shakes his head with that look that says, of course this happened.
Beside me, Kate exhales, the tension bleeding out of her shoulders. I can see the moment her spine stops bracing for impact.
The judge glances down at his notes, flipping through the folder like he’s double-checking he didn’t just dream the last ten minutes. “All right. I believe I’ve heard enough from both parties.”
The room quiets instantly.
My pulse hammers. I reach over and find Kate’s hand under the table, curling my fingers through hers.
He adjusts his glasses. “Based on the evidence presented, and after reviewing both testimonies and witness statements, the court finds no reason to alter the existing custody arrangement.” He looks at Daniel.
“Evie has a strong support system and is performing well in her current arrangement and school. At this time, I believe it would actually be to her detriment to change her situation, especially introducing a new school and a second home an hour away from her friends and family.”
Kate gasps, her hand tightening in mine.
The judge continues, steady and firm. “Ms. Prescott will retain full custody of her daughter. Mr. McMichael, you will be granted visitation per the court’s schedule. Should circumstances change in the future, you may file a new petition. But as of today, custody remains unchanged.”
The gavel comes down. One clean, decisive crack.
It’s done.
I don’t even realize I’ve stood up until Kate’s arms are around me, her face buried in my chest. She’s shaking, tears soaking my shirt, and I hold her tighter, my hand cradling the back of her head.
“You did it,” I whisper. “You fought for her, Katie. You won.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she breathes.
I pull back just enough to look at her, brushing a tear off her cheek with my thumb. “You’d have done it anyway. I was just there to cheer you on.”
Behind us, the gallery erupts—Brynn crying openly now, Knox clapping me on the back, Kinsey practically cheering before remembering where we are.
Even Haddie wipes a tear with her leopard-print handkerchief.
Kate’s mom has tears in her eyes as she hugs her, then she tells us she’ll see us in a bit and leaves to pick up Evie.
Daniel’s already on his feet, his lawyer whispering something into his ear. His wife won’t even look at him. He storms out without another word.
Good.
Outside the courthouse, the crowd spills onto the steps, half the town still buzzing from the drama. Haddie’s surrounded like she’s giving a press conference.
“Ms. Carmichael!” someone calls. “Where’d you get the screenshots?”
“Public domain, darling!” she calls back, striking a pose. “I run a tight ship!”
Brynn hugs Kate, crying all over again. “I told you it would be okay.”
Kate laughs through her tears. “I think you under sold it.” She thinks for a moment. “I was just surprised to hear Haddie’s name called. My attorney didn’t tell me about it.”
Brynn tries to hide a smile, “I might have had something to do with that.”
Kate eyes her with suspicion, “So you and Haddie are best buddies now, huh?”
Brynn shrugs, “Let’s just say we’ve found some common ground.”
Kinsey wipes her eyes and sniffs. “That woman deserves a medal. Or a reality show.”
Knox smirks. “Please don’t give her ideas.”
I stand back for a second, watching them—this group of people who showed up without being asked, who carried us through every step of this mess.
When Kate turns toward me, her eyes are bright, still wet, but she’s smiling. “It’s over,” she whispers.
“Yeah,” I say, stepping closer, cupping her cheek. “It’s over.”
She rises onto her toes, kissing me right there on the courthouse steps. It’s soft, full of gratitude and exhaustion, and when we pull apart, the crowd starts clapping.
Haddie fans herself dramatically. “Well, that’s going on the Happenings page before lunch.”
Kate laughs, “Haddie, thank you—for everything in there.”
She taps her arm. “No need to thank me! The posts with your updates gained me at least a hundred new followers. I’m sure they’re going to just eat up the wedding!”
She turns back to the circle of admirers and as the town keeps cheering, as Brynn dabs at her eyes and Kinsey threatens to adopt Haddie as her life coach, all I can think is that we’re the luckiest family in the world.