We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 228

Chapter 228

Cedar’s POV

After dinner, Owen and Elizabeth took me to the study and presented me with an ornate box. “This is a necklace your mother had made for you. When you were born, we placed one around your neck, but after you were switched with Emma, we were confused when she didn’t have it–thought it must have fallen off–and had a new one made for her. Now that you’ve returned, this one belongs to you. It’s a way to say goodbye to the past and begin anew.

I carefully opened the box to find a delicate silver chain with a unique snowflake pendant, a small sapphire gleaming at its center.

The sapphire represents September, your birth month,” Elizabeth explained softly as she fastened it around my neck. “It’s a Pierce family tradition for mothers to give their daughters such a necklace.”

I touched the pendant at my throat, overwhelmed with emotion. This was the life I was meant to have–surrounded by love.

We returned to the living room for a while longer, but when the clock struck nine, I noticed Oliver beginning to yawn.

“We should head back,” I said quietly.

“You could stay here,” Owen suggested immediately. “We have plenty of guest rooms.”

I shook my head. “Thank you, but the children need me with them. And…” I paused, thinking of Ridley. “I should get back. But I promise I’ll visit often.”

Our goodbye was bittersweet–filled with reluctance to part yet anticipation of reunion. Elizabeth and Owen hugged each child at the door before embracing

me tightly.

“Come straight here after work tomorrow, all right?” Elizabeth whispered

my ear. “We have so much time to make up for.”

“I will, Mom,” I promised softly, the word becoming more natural on my tongue.

During the ride home, the children excitedly discussed their new grandparents while I basked in the happiness of finding my family. But a thought was forming in my mind–perhaps it was time to consider moving out of the Sterling house. Aria had become much more outgoing; I could still spend time with her without living under the same roof.

When we arrived at the Sterling mansion, an unusual silence pervaded the house. Charles greeted us in the foyer.

“Kids, why don’t you go upstairs and get ready for bed?” I smiled at them.

Once they had gone, I asked, “Where is Mr. Sterling?”

“Sir has been in his study handling business matters since this afternoon,” Charles replied, his tone subdued.

I nodded, deciding to speak with Ridley. Today’s experience had crystallized the importance of family for me and confirmed some decisions I’d been considering. I needed to discuss with him the possibility that, sometime soon, I might move out to spend more time with my parents.

At the study door, I knocked gently. When there was no response, I hesitated before pushing it open.

‘Ridley, I’d like to talk with you…”

The words died in my throat as my heart nearly stopped. Ridley lay collapsed on the floor beside his desk, a terrifying streak of crimson at the corner of his

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Chapter 228

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mouth, his chest barely moving.

“Ridley!” I screamed, rushing toward him. “Charles! Call an ambulance! Now!”

The ambulance siren wailed through the night as we rushed to Chicago Memorial. Charles had arranged for the nanny to stay with the children while we accompanied Ridley, who remained unconscious on the stretcher. His face was ashen, almost translucent under the harsh ambulance lights.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I sat beside him, my fingers hovering over his hand, afraid that touching him might somehow make things worse.

“He’ll be alright, won’t he?” I asked, gripping the edge of my seat so hard my knuckles turned white.

Charles sat across from us, his normally composed expression betraying the slightest hint of concern. ‘Mr. Sterling has always had a strong constitution. It’s likely just exhaustion from overwork.”

I finally gathered the courage to take Ridley’s hand in mine. It was cold–too cold–and I fought back the rising panic. What if he didn’t wake up? What if this was something serious? The thought carved a hollow space in my chest that ached with each breath.

At the hospital, medical staff whisked Ridley away for emergency evaluation and treatment, leaving Charles and me stranded in the sterile waiting area. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting everyone in a sickly pallor that only heightened my anxiety.

“Charles,” I ventured after what felt like hours, “has Ridley ever collapsed like this before? Is there some underlying condition I should know about?”

A flicker of something–hesitation?-crossed the butler’s face before he answered. “He’s been pushing himself exceptionally hard lately with the Michigan Avenue project. I suspect it’s merely exhaustion catching up with him.”

His response felt carefully curated, but before I could press further, a doctor emerged from the double doors.

‘Family of Ridley Sterling?” he called, scanning the waiting room.

Charles and I both stood. The doctor approached us, clipboard in hand, ready to speak–then paused, his gaze shifting between us before settling on Charles.

“I apologize, but Sterling family protocol dietates that medical information can only be shared with immediate family members,” he said quietly.

Heat rushed to my face as the implication sank in. I wasn’t family. I wasn’t his wife or partner or anything with an official title. I was just… Cedar. Someone who had no right to be here demanding information.

“Doctor,” I managed to ask, swallowing my embarrassment, can you at least tell me if he’s out of danger?”

The doctor’s expression softened slightly as he nodded. “He’s stabilized for now.”

Relief flooded through me, quickly followed by a renewed sense of awkwardness. I stepped away, pulling out my phone to call the children’s nanny and let her know their father wasn’t in life–threatening danger.

After the call, I stood in the hallway, suddenly unsure of my place in this situation. I wasn’t family, but I couldn’t just leave. Despite my better judgment, I found myself returning to Ridley’s room.

He lay still against the white sheets, various machines beeping softly around him. His face, usually so commanding and full of authority, looked vulnerable in unconsciousness. I sank into the chair beside his bed, watching the slight rise and fall of his chest.

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Chapter 228

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Charles entered quietly behind me. I’d like to stay and look after him,” I said, not taking my eyes off Ridley.

“Of course, Ms. Wright, he replied. ‘I’ll be resting in the adjacent family room if you need anything or wish to take a break,”

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