We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Aiden’s POV

of You, Daddy!

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I listen patiently as he cries for nearly thirty minutes before finally calming down.

“Now that you know, I can finally share what it’s like having a mom, Oliver says, his voice brighter. The first time I saw her, I just knew I loved her. I want to be with her every minute. I love watching her smile, hearing her voice, being held in her arms, getting her kisses…”

He continues enthusiastically, and I listen quietly, occasionally feeling a pang of envy at the bond they’ve already formed.

When he finally pauses for breath, I steer us back to my original question. Oliver, you mentioned you found Mom based on some clues. Where did these clues come from?”

“Last winter, when I was visiting Grandmother in Australia, I accidentally went into her study and found a file about our mother, Oliver explains. “It had our birth certificates and some fragments of information about Mom.

I narrow my eyes. “But Grandmother always told us our mother died.”

“She lied to us! The truth is, Grandmother never even met our mother!” Oliver’s indignation comes through clearly. “Our births were arranged through some professional agency. The file only had one line about our mother–Genetic material donor, female, age 20, a college student in Chicago.“”

That was the slim lead he’d used to test over a thousand women until finding Cedar.

I rub my temple. “I’m not sure I understand what that means.”

“I don’t really know either,” Oliver admits. “I asked Grandmother several times, but she always avoids talking about our mother. And you know our births were arranged without Father knowing.”

“Father rejected us until we were almost a year old, and he’s only gradually accepted us since then,” Oliver continues, his voice growing anxious. “If Father finds out Cedar is our mother, he might hate her. He could force her to leave Chicago, hide her away somewhere we’d never find her again…”

The fear in his voice is palpable. “Promise me, Aiden. Promise you won’t tell Father or Grandmother!”

‘I understand,‘ I reply, my dark eyes hiding emotions too complex for most children my age.

Cedar’s POV

I winced at my reflection in the bathroom mirror as morning light filtered through the dusty venetian blinds of my apartment. My cheek was still slightly swollen.

Sighing, I layered on extra concealer, carefully blending until the red handrint disappeared beneath the makeup. Perfect timing–1 had exactly forty minutes to get to the Nest Design office before our morning briefing grabbed my portfolio bag and headed out.

As I stepped onto the cracked sidewalk outside my pre–war building, I noted a sleek black Audi SUV parked conspicuously by the curb. In this decidedly mid–range neighborhood, the luxury vehicle stood out like a designer handbag at a thrift store. Several commuters slowed their pace, stealing curious glances at the car.

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Chapter 106

My heart skipped–was it Ridley? But as I approached, I saw a small figuren the back seat instead.

“Aiden?” I bent down as the window lowered. “What are you doing here?”

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The six year old Sterling heir sat perfectly poised in his tailored navy blair, looking bizarrely professional despite his obvious exhaustion. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, making him appear much older than his yrs.

I came specifically to escort you to work, he replied with that unsettling mature tone. Please get in.”

I slid into the leather seat beside him, instantly noticing his exhaustion. Aiden, did you sleep at all last night? Those are some serious raccoon

eyes you’re sporting.”

“Too much work. I was reviewing documents until early morning,” he responded flatly.

From the front seat, Henderson, Aiden’s caretaker, suppressed a smile while navigating morning traffic. I caught his knowing glance in the

rearview mirror.

“You’re six years old,” I reminded him gently, reaching to smooth his meticulously combed hair. “Even little design prodigies need proper sleep. Whatever work you had could’ve waited until morning. You won’t grow tal if you keep pushing yourself like this. Promise me no more all-

nighters?”

Aiden tilted his face up, studying mine with an intensity that made me un omfortable. There was something hungry in his gaze, something desperate that no child should feel.

“Mom…” The word came out soft and hesitant.

I froze, my hand still resting on his head. “What did you just call me?”

A blush spread across his pale cheeks. His small hands fidgeted with the edge of his blazer, suddenly reminding me that beneath the Sterling heir facade was just a little boy.

‘Aiden,‘ I said gently, “I’m not your mother. You should call me Cedar.”

“I want to call you Mom.” His voice was quiet but determined, a hint of childish stubbornness breaking through his usual composure.

My heart ached, I remembered what Ridley had told me that night–how t children had grown up without a mother, how that void had shaped them. How they’d latched onto me from the moment I stepped int their lives.

“The boys have taken to you, he’d said. “They’ve never had a mother figur That part of their lives has always been missing. As their father, I’m selfishly hoping you might show them some affection…”

I couldn’t refuse Ridley’s request then, and I couldn’t deny Aiden now—no when he looked at me with those hopeful eyes,

1 pulled him into a gentle hug. When we’re alone, you can call me Mom you want, I whispered. But in public or at the office, it needs to be Cedar or Ms. Wright. Deal?”

“Deal!” His face brightened instantly, eyes shining.

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