We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 209

Cedar’s POV

Emma kept me engaged in conversation for nearly the entire

afternoon, revealing a level of openness I hadn’t anticipated. She shattered my preconceived notions about socialites. Unlike the

women who orbited around Selena, Emma possessed a genuine

warmth that caught me off guard. I couldn’t help but wonder about the parents who had raised such a refreshingly authentic person in a world often defined by pretense. When I inquired, she explained they were overseas managing a major project for their company and

wouldn’t return until next month.

Before dinner, Emma orchestrated a lakeside stroll that included

Ethan, Ridley, and myself. The conversation flowed primarily between Ethan and Emma, who worked diligently to maintain a lively

atmosphere. Ridley maintained his characteristic reserve, rarely

glancing in my direction. The space between us remained conspicuously vacant of meaningful exchange.

“The water looks particularly beautiful this evening,” Emma observed, gesturing toward the lake where the setting sun painted the surface

in shades of amber and gold.

I nodded politely, painfully aware of Ridley’s silence beside me.

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Chapter 209

Though physically present, he seemed determined to establish

emotional distance.

At dinner, I noticed the children were quieter than usual. They ate

with impeccable manners, occasionally exchanging glances but

exhibiting no behavior that might raise concern. Aiden maintained

his typical composure, while Oliver managed to suppress his

customary exuberance. Even Aria, who had been making remarkable

progress in her social interactions, seemed subdued.

As we prepared to leave, something unexpected occurred. Aria,

typically the most reserved of the three, approached Ethan directly.

“Goodbye, Ethan uncle,” she said sweetly, her voice soft but clear.

“Oh, sweetie, goodbye.” Ethan bent down to embrace her, a moment of

tenderness that seemed to stretch slightly longer than convention

might dictate.

When Aria returned to my side, I noticed her small hand tightly

clenched inside her pocket, and a smile playing across her lips.

Oliver’s POV

By the time we got back to the Sterling mansion, I could barely

contain my excitement. The thought of what our secret mission

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might reveal about Mommy made my heart race like I’d eaten a whole

jar of sugar cookies.

After Charles finished our bedtime routine and all the grown–ups

went to their rooms, I tiptoed out of my bedroom and knocked softly

on Aiden’s door.

“Come in,” he whispered.

I slipped inside to find Aria already sitting on Aiden’s bed, her tiny

hands still clutched protectively around something in her pocket.

“Did you get Uncle Ethan’s hair?” I asked, keeping my voice super

quiet like we were in a spy movie.

Aria nodded and carefully pulled a few short strands of hair from her

pocket. “When I hugged him,” she explained in a whisper so faint I

had to lean closer to hear her. “I pulled them very gently. He didn’t

even notice.”

“That’s awesome, Aria!” I gave her a thumbs–up. “Now it’s my turn to

get Mommy’s hair.”

Aiden gave me that serious look he always has, like he’s carrying the

weight of Sterling Enterprises on his six–year–old shoulders. “Be

careful, Oliver. If Mommy discovers what we’re doing, our entire

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operation will be compromised.”

“Don’t worry,” I grinned, feeling a rush of confidence. “Nobody’s

better at secret missions than me.”

I crept toward Mommy’s room, making my footsteps super quiet like a

ninja. I could hear the shower running in her bathroom, which meant

this was the perfect moment. My heart did a little dance of

excitement.

I pushed her door open just enough to slip inside. Her room smelled

like her–warm and comforting, like fresh cookies and sunshine. It

reminded me of all the times she’d read me stories or held me when I

had bad dreams. Her dressing table had several brushes and combs

arranged neatly, and I immediately spotted the wooden brush she

used most often.

Super carefully, I pulled a few strands of golden hair from the brush,

making sure not to disturb anything else. My hands trembled a little

-not because I was scared of getting caught, but because these tiny

hairs might unlock the mystery of Mommy’s real family.

I wrapped the hairs carefully in a tissue and tucked them into my

pocket. Just as I was about to leave, the bathroom doorknob turned.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest as I quickly ducked down

beside the bed.

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Chapter 209

Cedar walked out wrapped in a bathrobe, her hair still wet from the shower. She didn’t notice me as she went straight to her dressing

table and picked up the brush I’d just touched. I held my breath,

terrified she’d realize something was different.

“Strange,” she murmured to herself. ‘I could have sworn I left this

more to the right.”

A cold sweat broke out on my back. She noticed something! But then

she just shrugged and walked back to the bathroom, drying her hair

with a towel. I took my chance and very, very carefully slid from my

hiding spot to the door, slipping out without making a sound.

I practically bounced back to Aiden’s room, waving the tissue

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