We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 138

Chapter 138

Daisy’s POV

From my vantage point in the garden alcove, I watched with barely contained fury. That ambitious little nobody Cedar had already sunk

her claws into Aiden, and now she was after Aria too!

Did she truly believe that winning over a few children would secure her position as the next Mrs. Sterling? What a laughably pathetic

fantasy!

I forced myself to breathe deeply, composing my features before making my way toward the house. By then, the guests had moved to the dining hall, and Auntie Rachel had gone to her bedroom to

change into something more formal for dinner.

I intercepted her just as she was emerging from her suite.

“Auntie Rachel,” I said with practiced warmth, using the familiar

address I’d employed since childhood.

Our families had moved in the same Gold Coast circles as the

Sterlings. After my family’s financial ruin, I had become the Sterling

children’s dance instructor–essentially a glorified nanny, though I’d

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rather have died than acknowledge that humiliating reality.

I desperately distinguished myself from the other household staff. While they addressed Ridley as “Mr. Sterling,” I called him “Ridley” as Irene once did. While they said “Mrs. Sterling,” I said “Auntie Rachel,” clinging to the pretense that I was still the daughter of her social equal rather than her employee.

This small distinction was my lifeline to my former status.

“Daisy, where’s Aria?” Auntie Rachel glanced around, noting the absence of her granddaughter.

“I’ll bring her down for dinner shortly,” I replied, forcing a smile.

See how it was? Even Auntie Rachel’s first words to me were always

about Aria. I was nothing more than Aria’s caretaker in her eyes!

But being a nanny wasn’t so terrible if it eventually led to becoming their stepmother. If that day came, all these years of sacrifice might

prove worthwhile.

With that thought, my smile faltered, replaced by a carefully crafted expression of distress and vulnerability.

Seeing my troubled expression, she asked with genuine concern,

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“Daisy, what’s wrong?”

“Auntie Rachel, did you… did you notice that woman who arrived with

Ridley?” I bit my lip, allowing my voice to tremble slightly.

Auntie Rachel smoothed a stray hair behind her ear, her expression

turning serious. “What about her? Do you know Miss Wright?“/

“I met her when I took Aria to Sterling headquarters last month,” I

said softly. “He treats this Miss Wright quite… differently. They were

alone in his office for two entire hours before emerging…”

“Is that so?” Auntie Rachel’s eyebrows rose slightly.

She knew her son better than anyone. Since Irene’s death, Ridley had

seemingly withdrawn from romantic entanglements, never allowing

another woman into his life. He had even declared at last year’s

Christmas party that he would never remarry.

Even I, who grew up alongside him, had never received any special

attention despite years of devoted service to his family.

If Ridley hadn’t made that declaration about never remarrying, would Auntie Rachel have resorted to such measures to secure

grandchildren?

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But now, the possibility that Ridley had spent two hours alone with a

woman in his office?

A man and woman, behind closed doors for that long–it was difficult

not to doubt their relationship.

I watched Auntie Rachel’s face transform with shock. Her composed

features, usually a perfect mask of high society indifference, betrayed

a complex mix of emotions I couldn’t quite decipher.

No rage. Just… surprise.

A moment of panic fluttered in my chest. Could she actually accept

this nobody as her son’s partner? As the future Mrs. Sterling? I

steadied myself, carefully recalculating my approach.

“Auntie Rachel,” I sighed dramatically, leaning forward. “Believe me,

I’d be the first to celebrate if Ridley found someone who truly made

him happy. But this Cedar Wright woman… I’m concerned about her

intentions.”

I smoothed my scarf, choosing my words with precision. “The first

time I met her, I noticed how deliberately she was charming Aiden.

You know how reserved that boy is–never warms to anyone–yet

somehow she had him smiling. And Aria? That child barely acknowledges me despite all our hours together at the dance studio,

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but with Cedar? Completely different.”

Auntie Rachel’s fingers tightened around her teacup.

“It might seem wonderful on the surface,” I continued, my voice

dropping to a concerned whisper. “A young woman capable of

breaking through both children’s barriers… but something feels

wrong. I can’t help worrying she might hurt them once she gets what

she wants.”

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