We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 185

We Want Mommy, Not You, Daddy!

Chapter 185

Cedar’s POV

I stood to the side, watching Aiden present his gift to his father. Their

conversation was as flat as day–old soda–birthday wishes offered

routinely, the gift accepted with quiet politeness. Just measured

words and controlled expressions. But I was too busy having my own

internal crisis to judge.

A tie. Aiden had gotten Ridley a tie.

The same gift currently burning a hole in my purse–except mine

wasn’t nearly as expensive, and the box wasn’t half as elegant as the

one Aiden had presented. I’d spent hours agonizing over what to get a

man who could buy anything he wanted, and now my modest

selection seemed embarrassingly inadequate.

“Cedar, didn’t you prepare something for Father too?” Aiden’s voice

snapped me back to reality. The ever–observant child was trying to

give me an opening.

“I–no! No gift!” I blurted out, then immediately regretted it. “I mean,

Mr. Sterling, happy birthday! May you… um, live long and prosper…”

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Oh God. Did I just quote Star Trek to a billionaire on his birthday?

“I’m sorry, my brain’s malfunctioning. Happy birthday, I hope all your

wishes come true,” I managed to finish, exhaling deeply.

Ridley’s piercing gaze darkened as he stepped closer. “You waited

until midnight just to wish me a happy birthday?”

“Yes… well, no. Aiden, could you please bring the cake?” I desperately

changed the subject, discreetly sliding my purse behind my back.

I could always buy something more appropriate tomorrow…

Aiden returned from the dining room carrying a chocolate strawberry

cake adorned with candles–a “3” and a “1“-spelling out thirty–one

years. Beside the candles was a message in handwriting that belonged

to Aiden.

One look at Ridley’s expression told me he recognized it too.

Something in his eyes softened.

I moved beside Aiden, helping him hold the cake as we began to sing.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…”

In the flickering candlelight, my voice joined with Aiden’s. Ridley’s

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gaze never left my face, making my cheeks burn hotter than the candles. The three of us leaned forward together to blow them out.

When the lights came back on, I hurriedly escaped to the kitchen. “Mr. Sterling, happy birthday! You should try the cake–the kids made it themselves!”

I returned with plates and forks, cutting the cake into neat slices. Ridley rarely ate sweets, but he took a bite anyway. Aiden, who had inherited his father’s dislike for sugary foods, dutifully ate his piece

too.

An awkward silence descended on the room. Charles had mysteriously

disappeared, leaving us alone.

“Why are you standing? Sit.” Ridley gestured to the space beside him

on the leather sofa.

I clutched my purse tighter. “No need, I should be going once I finish

this slice.”

“I wasn’t asking,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I reluctantly moved to the sofa, perching myself as far from him as

possible, focusing intently on my cake,

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Then I felt his touch. His fingers brushed against my chin, sending an electric current through my body. He was wiping away a bit of

frosting I hadn’t realized was there.

I looked up, startled, and our eyes met again. Somewhere in the background, I vaguely registered Aiden silently slipping away.

What happened next nearly stopped my heart. Ridley brought his

frosting–covered finger to his lips and… tasted it.

Ridley Sterling–germaphobe extraordinaire, the man who carried

alcohol wipes everywhere–had just licked frosting from my face.

My entire body felt like it was on fire. Blood rushed to my head so

quickly I thought I might faint.

“I–I should go, Mr. Sterling.” I stammered, standing up so abruptly I

nearly tripped over my own feet.

My legs were trembling, though whether from embarrassment or something else entirely, I couldn’t say. I took one unsteady step toward the door before realizing I’d forgotten my purse.

As I turned back, I saw Ridley already holding it, his expression unreadable.

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Chapter 185

Ridley’s POV

I watched Cedar quietly as she ate her cake, her features softening in

the warm glow of the birthday candles. There was something about

her that made everything around her seem brighter, more vivid. Even

my house, usually cold and impersonal, felt like a home with her in it.

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