We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 16

Oliver’s POV

1 pressed my face against the car window as we drove back from Navy Pier, clutching Sir Fluffy to my chest. Today had been awesome the Ferris wheel, the games, and expecially the ice cream. Two flavors! At the same time!

Truth is, life at Sterling Manor isn’t nearly as awful as I told Mommy. Dad is strict, yeah, but he doesn’t force me to learn those business lessons that I hate He just has all these rules and expectations, but most of them are for Aiden since he’s gonna run the company someday I get to eat whatever ice cream flavors the chef makes, play with expensive toys in my huge bedroom, and run around our massive yard.

But if I told Mommy how nice our house really is, she might send me back. And I don’t want that. I want to stay with her forever. So I maybe stretched the truth a teensy bit. Is that so bad? Being with Mommy feels different–warmer somehow. When she smiles at me, it’s like sunshine.

“Did you have fun today, Oliver?‘ Mommy asked, checking her rearview mirror.

The best day ever!” I bounced in my seat. “The Ferris wheel was so high! And when you let me have both chocolate AND vanilla ice cream together! Dad

never lets me mix flavors.”

Mommy laughed, and the sound made me feel all warm inside. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. We’re almost home.”

As we pulled onto her street, I noticed two women standing by the entrance to Mommy’s apartment building. One was older with fancy jewelry and perfect hair, the other younger with a pink designer dress. They both looked angry.

Mommy’s smile disappeared. “Stay in the car, okay?” she said, her voice suddenly tight. “I need to talk to some people.”

“Who are they?” I asked, pressing my nose against the window again.

“Just… some people I work with,” she answered, but I could tell she was worried. “I won’t be long.”

I watched Mommy approach the women. Their faces looked mean, like the villains in my cartoons. The older one started talking first, pointing her finger at Mommy. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Mommy’s shoulders got all stiff and small.

My tummy got hot with anger. Nobody talks to my mommy like that! I unbuckled my seatbelt and quietly opened the car door. Mommy was so focused on

those mean ladies she didn’t notice me slip out.

Near the apartment entrance was a wicker basket with some sports equipment. A perfect soccer ball sat right on top. I grabbed it, feeling its weight in my

small hands. Dad always said I had terrible aim, but he wasn’t here now.

I took a deep breath, lined up my shot, and threw the ball as hard as I could.

THUNK!

It hit the younger woman right on the back of her head! Her perfect hair went sideways, and she screamed super loud, spinning around with her face all red

and scary.

“You little monster!” she shrieked, lunging toward me.

Mommy moved faster than I’d ever seen anyone move, stepping between us. “Don’t you dare touch him!” Her voice was quiet, but so fierce it made me shiver. Mommy was so brave!

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3:49 pm

Chapter 16

“You bitch!” the young woman screamed, ready to ready to lunge at Mommy.

Mommy was so brave! She was willing to put herself in danger to protect me. I couldn’t just stand there and watch her get hurt. I had to help her.

I spotted my toy water pistol in the same basket. Grabbing it quickly, I aimed and fired, hitting the mean woman’s expensive–looking shoes.

“My Louboutins!” she wailed, jumping back.

I kept firing, hitting her angry face. The older woman tried to shield herself with her designer purse.

‘Come on, Selena,‘ the older woman hissed. “This isn’t over, Cedar. Jonathan will hear about all of this!”

They hurried away, the younger one still screeching about her shoes. Mommy turned to me, her face a mix of shock and something else–was that pride?

“Oliver, that was…” she began, then shook her head, taking my hand. “Let’s go inside.”

Once we were safely in the apartment, Mommy knelt to my level. Those women… they’re my adoptive family. The older one is Elara, my adoptive mother, and the younger one is Selena, my adoptive sister.”

“They’re not very nice to you,” I said, squeezing Sir Fluffy tighter.

“It’s complicated, Oliver. They took me in when I was very young, but our relationship has always been… difficult. Mommy sighed. “They want me to help their company get money.”

“Why do you have to give them money? They’re mean!” I felt my face getting hot again.

*I made an agreement, Oliver. I promised to help them, and I need to keep my word.”

‘But that’s not fair!” I stomped my foot.

Mommy smiled sadly. “Sometimes life isn’t fair, but we still try to do what’s right.”

She pulled me into a hug. “Thank you for protecting me today, my brave little warrior.”

I’ll always protect you, Mommy,” I promised, burying my face in her neck. “Always.”

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