We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 128

Chapter 128

“Of course,” I smiled.

با

He wrapped his small arms around my neck and leaned in, pressing

his soft lips against my cheek with deliberate care. The tenderness of

it nearly broke my heart. I turned quickly and planted another kiss on

his cheek, making an exaggerated smacking sound that drew a

reluctant smile from him.

Aiden reached into his pocket and produced an elegant cream-

colored envelope with gold embossing. The weight of the paper alone

spoke of its expense–the kind of stationery that probably cost more

than my hourly rate.

“My grandmother is hosting her birthday celebration this Saturday

evening,” he said, his composure returning as he handed me the

invitation. “On behalf of the Sterling family, I would like to invite you

to attend.”

I stared at the luxurious invitation, feeling wildly out of place. “Oh, I

don’t think that would be appropriate. I’m just an employee. This

seems like a family affair.” I tried to hand it back. “But I’ll definitely

send a gift for your grandmother with you.”

“Mom.” Aiden’s voice carried a hint of disappointment. “That’s the

1/4

Chapter 128

second time today you’ve refused me.”

His gray eyes–so like his father’s–regarded me with a controlled

vulnerability that was impossible to resist. This child had mastered

emotional leverage in a way that should have been beyond his years.

“Alright,” I relented, slipping the invitation into my bag. “I’ll be there.

On time.”

The transformation was instantaneous. His small lips curved upward,

revealing a smile so genuine it transformed his entire face. In that

moment, with the afternoon sun catching in his dark hair, he looked

at me as though I were the center of his universe.

After we parted ways–Aiden to his waiting car with Henderson–I

returned to the Wright Creatives office. The moment I pushed open

the door to the market development department, I was ambushed by

a shower of confetti and the sound of small party poppers.

“Congratulations on becoming a property owner, Cedar!” Jane called

out, while colorful paper strips settled in my hair.

“We demand a celebration dinner!” came another voice from the back

of the room.

Our entire department had apparently abandoned all pretense of

2/4

Chapter 128

work to celebrate my unexpected windfall–the apartment that had

fallen into my lap courtesy of the Sterling Design Group’s mysterious

generosity. I hadn’t even seen the place yet, and here they were,

planning my housewarming.

“Don’t worry, Cedar,” Jane said, brushing confetti from my shoulder.

“We’ll all help with moving day. The department comes with free

manual labor.”

“And we’re not expecting Alinea,” added another colleague, referring

to Chicago’s most expensive restaurant. “Just that new buffet place on

Oak Street would do nicely.”

“The one with the unlimited design–your–own dessert station?”

someone called out hopefully.

Looking at their expectant faces–these colleagues who had

welcomed me despite my outsider status in Chicago’s tight–knit

design community–any hesitation I might have felt melted away. If

they saw nothing strange about my sudden good fortune, perhaps I

was overthinking it.

“Alright, everyone,” I announced with a decisive clap. “Buffet dinner

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify