Chapter 204
Mommy needed to find out about Dad’s illness. Otherwise, when that
day finally came, she would be devastated with regret.
Cedar’s POV
I was still pondering Aiden’s unusually mature questions when Oliver
bu
Into the room.
look!” He was clutching an enormous Transformer toy,
with pride. “I built this myself for my third birthday! I want
o have it so it can keep you com
when I’m not around.”
I stared at the toy, speechless
t want any more gifts!
But that wasn’t all. Aria
quietly placed it on the
ng a framed painting and
It was an oil pain
and three chil
recognize
es seen from behind–two adults
showing their backs, I immediately
self, and the Sterling children.
It
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Chapter 204
I’d never had a family portrait growing up.
My fingers traced the painting, unexpectedly moved by the image.
Then I caught myself. Just because these children called me “Mommy” didn’t mean we were actually family..
“Aria, the painting is beautiful, but I can’t accept it,” I said softly. “And
lease don’t paint more like this.”
What would Ridle
As if sump
appear
it?
ts, there was a knock, and Ridley
ke some imposing guardian.
arting,” he announced coolly. “All of you,
faces fell simultaneou
ilting in frost.
to three. Anyone st
a hour of lessons
in’t even
three children bolted for
floor.
e gifts the children had left and
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Chapter 204
placed them in a corner.
Looking up at Ridley, I spoke carefully. “Mr. Sterling, since you’ve
asked me to move in to help Aria, may I discuss some concerns I have
about the children’s education?”
Ridley studied me, then nodded slightly. “Go ahead.”
“I understand Aiden is the Sterling heir and the future of your family,
which is why your expectations for him are highest. He studies
twenty–four different subjects daily…”
Ridley cut me off. “Weren’t you going to discuss Aria’s education?”
“I…” I faltered. “All the children are equally important to me. It
wouldn’t be right to speak only for Aria.”
I gathered my courage. “Children’s education is certainly important, but I think the pressure you’re putting on them is excessive. Aiden is only six–most six–year–olds still need help cutting their food, but he’s already handling complex business problems. He’s already doing remarkably well. Why pile on so much pressure?”
“I’ve seen their curriculum. Besides languages, they’re studying marketing, economics, management, even advanced mathematics. Mr. Sterling, these concepts are too complex. Forcing this knowledge into
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their young minds–do they truly understand it? Eventually, they’ll
grow to resent this home and become rebellious.”
I met Ridley’s gaze directly. “Oliver has run away countless times because of the pressure you put on him. Now you’re adding even more. A six–year–old child will eventually break. Even if they don’t, they’re accumulating resentment day by day that will someday
explode.”
Ridley’s voice remained even. “Don’t think my children are so fragile.”
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