We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229

Cedar’s POV

As the night wore on, the rhythmic beeping of the monitors and Ridley’s steady breathing became my lullaby. I don’t remember falling asleep, only that I drifted off watching his face, hoping to see his eyes open.

I woke to the sound of small, urgent footsteps in the hallway. My neck ached from sleeping hunched over the edge of Ridley’s bed, and my thoughts were

still foggy when the door burst open.

“Daddy!” Oliver cried, rushing to the bed with tears already forming in his big eyes. He climbed halfway onto the mattress, his small hands clutching at the

blanket covering his father.

Aria and Aiden followed more cautiously, but their worried expressions mirrored their brother’s distress. Though they tried to maintain the Sterling composure, the fear in their eyes was unmistakable.

Charles appeared in the doorway, looking apologetic. “I’m sorry, Ms. Wright. I went back to get breakfast, and they insisted on coming. I couldn’t dissuade

them.”

“It’s fine, I assured him, stretching my stiff muscles. “They should be here.”

Ridley remained unconscious, his face peaceful despite the commotion around him.

*Kids, why don’t we go to the family room and have some breakfast?” I suggested gently. “Charles will stay and watch over your father.”

Oliver reluctantly nodded, his eyes never leaving Ridley’s face. Aria and Aiden followed silently as I led them to the adjacent room.

Charles had brought sandwiches, fruit, and warm milk. We sat around the small table, but no one seemed particularly hungry. Oliver took a small bite of his

sandwich, then suddenly burst into tears, the food forgotten.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I asked, alarmed, kneeling beside his chair and wiping his tears with my thumb,

Between sobs, he managed to choke out, “I don’t want Daddy to die…”

His words hit me like a physical blow. ‘Oliver, your daddy isn’t going to die,‘ I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “The doctor said he’s just very tired and

needs rest.

I glanced up at Aria and Aiden, expecting them to look relieved at my reassurance. Instead, they both stared at theit laps, faces drawn and eyes glistening with unshed tears. A chill ran through me.

Sweethearts, do you… do you know something about your father’s condition that I don’t?‘

The silence that followed was deafening. Then Oliver, unable to contain himself any longer, walled, “Mommy, Daddy doesn’t have much time left.

‘Oliver! Aiden snapped, but it was too late.

My heart seemed to stop beating. “What do you mean? What do you know?‘

Aiden’s face underwent a visible transformation–shock, then conflict, then something like resignation. He looked down at his hands, clenched into tight fists on his knees. For a moment, I could see the war raging inside him–the weight of a secret battling against the reality of what had just happened.

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9:29 am M

Chapter 229

The three children exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them before Aiden took a deep breath. Despite being only six, he spoke with

the gravity of someone much older.

“Dad has a rare blood disorder,” he said quietly. “The doctors told him… he might only have a few months left.”

“He didn’t want you to know,” Aria added softly, a tear finally escaping to trail down her cheek. “Daddy pushed you away on purpose because he was afraid…

afraid you would be heartbroken when he had to leave.”

The world seemed to tilt beneath me. Everything suddenly made horrible sense–Ridley’s hot and cold behavior, the moments of tenderness followed by cruel

distance, his insistence that I not get too close to him. He’d been trying to protect me all along, willing to make me hate him rather than mourn him.

I felt tears blur my vision as the truth crashed over me in waves. Just then, Charles appeared in the doorway, his expression falling as he took in the scene

before him.

“Ms. Wright, I…” he began, guilt written across his features. “I’m deeply sorry for not telling you the truth. It was Mr. Sterling’s explicit instruction that you

not be informed of his condition.”

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