We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 184

Chapter 184

Cedar’s POV

7

With the pastry chef’s guidance, we began baking. I’d never made a

cake before, but I learned quickly. Once the cake base was ready and

baked, it was time for the decorating–a task I handed over entirely to

the children.

Aiden spread a layer of chocolate ganache on the bottom tier, Oliver piped pink frosting around the edges, and Aria carefully placed fresh strawberries on top. Aiden then used dark chocolate to write: “Happy

Birthday, Dad.”

The children stared at their creation in wonder.

“I had no idea making cakes was so easy! I’m basically a professional

now,” Oliver declared proudly.

“Without Mom’s help, you wouldn’t have managed anything,” Aiden

said dryly.

“Aiden, would it kill you to not criticize me for one day?” Oliver shot

back.

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Chapter 184

Ignoring their bickering, I packaged the cake carefully. “Remember,

we’re singing happy birthday and blowing out candles at midnight.

You all need to stay awake until then.”

Oliver rubbed his eyes. “Midnight is so far away. I don’t think I can

make it.

I frowned. Hadn’t we all agreed to stay up until midnight? If the

children fell asleep, who would present the cake? By tomorrow, the

frosting would be ruined.

Aiden looked at me with those intelligent eyes of his. “If you stayed

with us, Mom, I’m sure Oliver and Aria could stay awake until

midnight.”

“Yes!” Oliver perked up instantly. “If you stay, I won’t sleep all night! I

promise!”

It was transparent manipulation, but effective. I touched the gift box in my purse. Why not stay? This would be my only chance to give

Ridley his birthday present, since I definitely wouldn’t be attending

the party Emma and Ethan were organizing tomorrow.

Decision made, I agreed to stay.

Charles prepared a magnificent dinner for us. The Maine lobster was

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succulent, the glazed short ribs melted in my mouth, and even the

simple roasted vegetables were bursting with flavor. I couldn’t

understand why these children kept coming to my apartment for

meals when they ate like this every day.

By the time we finished, my stomach was pleasantly full, and it was

only nine o’clock. Charles made a phone call, then informed us, “Miss

Wright, young masters and miss, Mr. Sterling has just finished his

meeting. He’ll be home in about an hour.”

With so much time still to wait, I clapped my hands. “Why don’t we

decorate the house?”

The children eagerly agreed, and Charles arranged for staff to

purchase balloons and streamers. With everyone helping, the

mansion was soon transformed.

Twinkling lights adorned every tree in the courtyard, colorful

balloons lined the railings, and streamers danced in the evening

breeze. The atmosphere was festive and warm.

After all the excitement, the children grew tired. Oliver yawned

repeatedly, and Aria curled up on the terrace sofa, her eyelids heavy,

My heart melted with sympathy. Aria’s health was the most fragile,

and it wasn’t fair to make her stay up so late.

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I went over and picked her up. “Let me take you upstairs to rest. We

can wish your daddy happy birthday in the morning instead.”

Aria didn’t really care about wishing her father happy birthday at

exactly midnight–she’d only stayed awake to be with me. Now that I

was carrying her to bed, she nodded contentedly.

To my surprise, as soon as I headed upstairs with Aria, the boys

followed.

“Mom, I’m tired too…” Oliver yawned dramatically, looking utterly

exhausted.

I sighed in resignation. “Alright, all of you get into bed. I’ll tell you a

story.”

I tucked them in and began a soft, soothing tale. Soon, all three were

fast asleep.

Or so I thought. Aiden’s eyes remained open, watching me carefully.

“Mom,” he whispered, ‘I’ll wait with you,”

Just then, we heard the sound of a car engine from downstairs. A

vehicle pulled into the driveway, and Charles’s respectful greeting

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