We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 195

The Sky Remembered the Touch of Our Unfinished Goodbyes by Lysa Orion Rehn 194

Chapter 195

Cedar’s POV

The last thing I remembered was slumping into Ethan’s car, Emma’s

worried face hovering over me. They must have carried me to bed,

because I woke up fully clothed, shoes and all, sprawled across my

mattress in the darkness.

The dream that jolted me awake left me breathless, a warm flush

spreading through my body. It was nearly noon on Sunday. I sat up,

disoriented, staring out at the skyline through my window while my

heart hammered against my ribs.

Ridley. Again. Every night for nearly a week.

This wasn’t normal.

I changed into clean clothes with trembling hands, trying to shake off

the lingering sensations from the dream.

It had to be residual effects from the alcohol, I told myself. I needed

to do something to snap out of this. So I made myself some herbal tea

and brunch, washed the dishes, then cleaned the entire house from

top to bottom–even though it barely needed it.

1/7

Chapter 195

But the moment I stopped moving, Ridley crept back into my

thoughts.

By the time I’d finished everything, evening had settled over the city.

In my living room, I grabbed my phone and typed: “What does it

mean when you dream about the same person every night?”

The top answer made my stomach drop: “It means this person holds

significant importance in your life–perhaps a close family member

like a father or brother. If they’re neither, you’ve likely fallen in love

with them subconsciously.”

Love? Me, in love with Ridley? Impossible.

I shook my head violently, tossing my phone aside in frustration. But

seconds later, I picked it up again, searching variations of the same

question, scrolling through dozens of responses until I collapsed

against the couch cushions in defeat.

One answer might be wrong, but when they all said the same thing…

How could I have fallen for him? When did it even happen? I racked

my brain, trying to pinpoint the moment Ridley had slipped past my

defenses.

I was doomed. Falling for someone I couldn’t have–someone who

217

Chapter 195

was my boss, someone whose children called me “mommy” even

though I wasn’t their mother. What was I supposed to do now?

Dinner passed in a blur. I dragged myself through a shower and my

nighttime routine, then spent hours tossing and turning, my mind

refusing to quiet.

The question tormented me until dawn broke over Lake Michigan,

when exhaustion finally pulled me into a brief, restless sleep.

The next morning, I was running on empty but still had to show up at

the office and pretend I was functional.

“Cedar, you’re working yourself too hard,” Jane said, placing a

steaming cup of coffee on my desk. “Those dark circles under your

eyes are serious. Design projects can wait, you know.”

I thanked her weakly, grateful for the caffeine. The day dragged on as

I struggled to focus on anything but my revelation from the night

before. By lunchtime, I was barely functioning.

In the company cafeteria, I sat alone, pushing food around my plate

while nearby conversations drifted over.

317

Chapter 195

“Did you know yesterday was Sterling’s birthday?” a woman

whispered at the next table.

“Thirty–one now, right? And still Chicago’s most eligible bachelor,”

her companion replied.

“Do you think he’s just never planning to marry? I mean, he already

has kids, so it’s not like he needs an heir.”

“I heard he used to be less… cold. Before, you know. Now any woman

who approaches him gets shut down immediately. Some of Chicago’s

finest socialites have tried.”

“And failed spectacularly. Imagine being rejected by Ridley Sterling in

public. I’d die.”

I stared blankly at my untouched lunch. I’d almost forgotten what

Ridley represented in this city–the man every woman wanted. His

admirers could probably stretch from Chicago to the Pacific Coast.

And I was just one more insignificant woman with a foolish heart.

The thought of confessing my feelings was laughable. For two more

days, I drifted through work in a fog, returning each night to my

empty apartment that suddenly felt too quiet, too still.

4/7

Chapter 195

It was strange. I’d lived alone for years, perfectly content. Now the

silence was deafening. I missed the children’s laughter, their endless

questions, even their mess. And Ridley… after kissing me like that in

public and then disappearing without explanation for days…

Part of me dreaded seeing him again, but his absence left a hollow

ache I couldn’t explain away.

By the third day of silence, I couldn’t stand it anymore. None of the

children had visited, called, or texted. Even little Oliver, who usually

found any excuse to come over, had vanished.

I called Oliver’s number, but Charles Coleman, the Sterling family

butler, answered instead.

“Miss Wright, Master Oliver’s phone privileges have been revoked

temporarily. He’s fallen behind in his studies and Mr. Sterling has

implemented a strict learning schedule, May I take a message?”

I felt a twinge of guilt, knowing my involvement with the children had contributed to their academic neglect.

“No, that’s fine. He should focus on his studies,” I replied, about to hang up when I heard a familiar shout in the background.

“Mommy!”

5/7

Chapter 195

After some commotion, Oliver’s voice came through, high–pitched

and desperate. “Mommy, it’s awful! Daddy’s keeping us prisoner! I

have to learn so many things–no games, no phone, no fun! I’m

locked in with tutors all day long. I miss you so much!”

Despite my concern, I knew Ridley was only doing what he thought

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify