We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Cedar’s POV

The little boy’s face registered surprise when Ridley agreed so easily,

but he just nodded without comment.

“Mr. Sterling, three children is… it’s just too many,” I protested,

feeling overwhelmed. “I really don’t think I can handle them all.

Couldn’t you please take them back home?”

It wasn’t that I didn’t adore these little boys–they were absolutely

precious–but I knew my limitations. These were the Sterling heirs,

raised with silver spoons and custom–tailored expectations. If

anything happened under my watch, I’d never forgive myself.

“Three children is indeed quite a handful,” Ridley nodded with

apparent understanding. “That’s why Ill stay too. To make things

easier for you.”

“What?!” I nearly choked on my own breath.

Had this man planned this all along? First, he invites me to stay at

the Sterling mansion. When I refuse, he decides to camp out at my

apartment instead? The audacity!

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Chapter 180

“Daddy, why do you need to stay?” Oliver puffed his cheeks in protest.

“We’re six years old. We can take care of ourselves. You can go home.”

Aria blinked innocently and added, “Daddy, when you were on top of

Mommy on the floor earlier, you didn’t even make a baby sister. So

maybe you should just go home.”

I clapped my hand over Aria’s mouth, mortified. What was this child

saying?

Glancing at Ridley, I caught his equally uncomfortable expression. I cleared my throat quickly. “Mr. Sterling, perhaps… you should head back home after all. These three angels are so well–behaved and

mature. I’m sure we’ll be just fine!”

Ridley’s POV

I felt my jaw tighten involuntarily.

I’d agreed to let the boys stay on one condition–that I would stay

too. Now this woman was practically showing me the door.

And what was with my kids looking so eager for me to leave? I’m their

father, for God’s sake.

The bitter taste of betrayal rose in my throat.

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Chapter 180

“Mr. Sterling, please don’t worry,” Cedar continued with those earnest

eyes. “I promise I’ll take excellent care of them and return them to

Sterling Manor tomorrow, safe and sound.”

She was persisting, making it crystal clear she’d rather handle the

kids alone than deal with my presence for one night. Something

about the way she looked at me made her uncomfortable–I could see

it in her eyes.

We’d unconsciously divided the living room: me on one side, Cedar

and my three kids on the other. A perfect visual representation of

where loyalties currently stood.

I could feel my expression darkening like storm clouds gathering on

the horizon.

These were my flesh and blood–my kids–yet they stood unified with

this woman they barely knew. What kind of spell had she cast over

the Sterling men?

Pride has always been my constant companion. I couldn’t bring

myself to beg like Oliver might, or employ Aiden’s tactical guilt trips.

With as much dignity as I could muster, I turned and walked out

without looking back.

The moment the door closed behind me, I heard jubilant cheers

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Chapter 180

erupt:

“Yay! Grumpy Daddy is finally gone! No one watching our every move

anymore!”

For a fleeting second, I considered storming back in and giving them

all a piece of my mind. Instead, I forced myself to keep walking.

Cedar’s POV

The apartment felt alive with laughter and the patter of little feet.

The apartment suddenly seemed like the perfect playground as the

boys raced around, filling every corner with joy.

I realized then that having the children stay wasn’t a burden at all–it

was a blessing. Their presence chased away the loneliness that often

crept in during quiet evenings. With them around, the night wouldn’t

feel so endless.

“Mommy, do you know why we really wanted to stay tonight?” Aiden

approached me, looking up with those serious eyes that seemed too

mature for his six–year–old face.

I knelt down to his level and smiled. “Why’s that, sweetheart?”

I’d assumed their sudden desire to stay was just impulsiveness, but

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Chapter 180

apparently there was more to it.

“Daddy’s birthday is coming up,” Aiden explained. “We wanted to talk

to you about how to celebrate his twenty–ninth birthday.”

1

Suddenly, I remembered. During Mrs. Sterling’s birthday celebration,

she had mentioned that Ridley’s birthday was approaching…

The three boys gathered around me expectantly.

“Mommy, this is the first time we’re planning something for Daddy’s

birthday,” Oliver said, excitement evident in his voice. “We need your

creative ideas!”

Despite his constant bickering with his father, it was clear Oliver

adored Ridley. His father’s twenty–ninth birthday was too important

an occasion to ignore.

Aiden’s small face remained serious as he added, “Grandmother

wanted to host a formal birthday gala, but Daddy refused.”

“Why would he do that?” Aria tilted her head curiously. “Everyone has

birthday parties. Daddy’s the CEO of Sterling Design Group–he

should have the biggest celebration of all.”

“I overheard Grandmother say this might be Daddy’s last birthday,”

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Chapter 180

Aiden said quietly.

“His last birthday?” I felt something cold settle in my chest, a

discomfort I couldn’t quite name.

I gently ruffled Aiden’s hair. “You must have misunderstood, sweetie.

Your father is only turning twenty–nine. You’ll all have many, many

more birthdays to celebrate with him.”

“Yeah, Aiden, that’s super creepy,” Oliver patted his chest

dramatically. “You made it sound like Daddy’s about to die or

something.”

“That’s enough of that kind of talk,” I interjected quickly. Some things

shouldn’t even be joked about.

Later, we all curled up on my king–sized bed, brainstorming birthday

ideas until the boys drifted off to sleep one by one. I carefully tucked

the blankets around them and tiptoed away to sort through my

closet.

Ridley had effectively ruined most of my presentable clothes, but

thankfully my pajamas were still intact. I wouldn’t have to sleep

naked, at least.

As I gathered my things to shower, I heard Oliver’s distressed voice:

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“Mommy, don’t leave me…”

His words were drenched in fear–likely an aftereffect of the

kidnapping trauma.

I immediately abandoned my clothes and returned to the bed,

gathering Oliver into my arms. He wrapped his little arms around my

neck and settled back into peaceful sleep.

I sighed softly. “Oliver, why did you call me ‘Mommy‘ the very

time we met?”

first

That rainy night when I first encountered Oliver had changed my life

completely. My current job, this apartment, even the newfound

stability in my life–all were connected to this little boy.

While I loved all three children equally, I couldn’t deny that Oliver

held a special place in my heart that was different from the others.

“Mommy…” Oliver tightened his hold on my neck.

“Because you are my mommy…” he mumbled sleepily.

My heart melted like butter in the sun. I pressed my cheek against

his, whispering, “How could you be so sure I was your mommy?”

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Chapter 180

“Because… DNA test…” he murmured before rolling over and falling

deeper into sleep.

I froze. DNA test?

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