We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 223

Chapter 223

Cedar’s POV

The day had been brutal. A major client decided to change their entire concept at the last minute, which meant I’d spent the entire afternoon redesigning layouts that should have been finalized weeks ago. As I packed up my design portfolio and shut down my computer, my neck and shoulders screamed in protest. I hadn’t even managed a

coffee break.

Stepping outside Wright Creatives into the crisp Chicago evening, I rolled my shoulders and contemplated whether I had enough energy

to cook dinner or if this was another takeout night.

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“Mommy!”

I looked up to see Oliver racing toward me, his little legs pumping furiously and his face flushed with excitement. Behind him, Charles was walking at a more dignified pace with Aria, who was holding his hand and looking like a perfect little ballerina in her pink dress with

her hair in two neat braids.

“Oliver? Aria?” I crouched down just in time for Oliver to crash into

my arms. “What are you two doing here?”

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“We wanted to go to the restaurant early!” Oliver exclaimed, his eyes

bright with enthusiasm. “We couldn’t wait, so we asked Charles to

bring us!”

I glanced up at Charles, who gave me a formal nod. “Miss Wright, the

children were most insistent about collecting you.”

“Let’s go have dinner together!” Aria said softly, her voice musical as

always.

“Well, this is certainly a surprise.” I ruffled Oliver’s hair and stood up.

Charles opened the car door with practiced grace. “I’ve taken the

liberty of reserving a table at La Bella, if that meets your approval.”

La Bella was one of those upscale Italian restaurants that somehow

managed to be both elegant and comfortable.

When we arrived, Charles mentioned he needed to park the car and

would join us shortly. I led the children into the restaurant, where a hostess escorted us to a window table. The warm lighting cast a

golden glow over the dark wood furniture, and the soft murmur of conversation created a pleasant backdrop.

After we ordered, Oliver suddenly jumped up. “I need to use the bathroom!”

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“Do you want me to come with you?” I asked.

“No way!” He puffed out his chest. “I’m a big boy now.” He dashed off

toward the back of the restaurant.

I chatted with Aria about her dance lessons while we waited, but after

nearly ten minutes passed with no sign of Oliver, I began to worry.

Just as I was about to go look for him, I spotted a familiar figure

entering the restaurant.

Ridley stood in the doorway, his tall frame impeccably dressed in a

charcoal suit that emphasized his broad shoulders. And beside him- my heart skipped–was Aiden, looking every bit the miniature version

of his father.

As they approached our table, I couldn’t hide my surprise. “Ridley?

Aiden? What are you doing here?”

Aiden gave me a polite nod. “Mommy, what a coincidence.”

I turned to Ridley, confused. “I thought you were working late

tonight?”

A flicker of something–discomfort?-crossed his face before he

composed himself. “I finished earlier than expected.”

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“Since we’ve run into each other, Ridley said coolly, “we might as well

dine together.” Without waiting for my response, he took the seat

directly across from me and signaled a waiter to add to our order.

Aiden slid into the chair next to Aria. The two exchanged a look that

set off alarm bells in my head.

“We need to use the bathroom too,” Aria announced suddenly,

grabbing Aiden’s hand.

“Together,” Aiden added, and before I could say anything, they had

disappeared around the corner.

That’s when realization dawned. This wasn’t a coincidence–it was an

ambush. I sat awkwardly across from Ridley, who seemed completely

unfazed by the situation, as if dining alone with me was the most

natural thing in the world.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed with a text. From Oliver:

[Mommy, sorry! We took some tiramisu and grilled fish to go. Charles

is taking us home. Enjoy your dinner with Daddy! ]

I sighed and looked up at Ridley. “The children and Charles have gone

home.”

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