We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Cedar’s POV

After returning from Wright Creatives, I found myself sitting cross–legged on my worn couch, laptop balanced precariously on my knees. The financial problem might be solved, but a new challenge loomed: finding a job.

I scrolled through design job listings, each promising creative freedom but likely delivering the same corporate constraints I’d just escaped. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, hesitating between applying to established firms or striking out on my own.

What are you doing, Mommy?”

I looked up to find Oliver watching me with those observant blue eyes. He climbed onto the couch and settled on my lap without waiting for permission, a

habit I was growing accustomed to.

“Looking for a new job, I answered, brushing his unruly hair from his forehead. “I can’t stay at Wright Creatives anymore.”

Oliver’s face scrunched into a serious frown. “You don’t need a job,” he declared with absolute certainty. “I can take care of you!”

I laughed, the sound surprising me with its lightness. “You’ll take care of me? How would you do that, little man?”

“I have money. He nodded solemnly. “And I can make breakfast like you showed me. And I can be very, very good so you don’t have to worry.”

My heart melted at his earnest offer. “That’s very sweet, Ollie. But I love designing homes and spaces. It makes me happy to create beautiful things that help

people live better.”

His small fingers played with the hem of my shirt as he considered this. “But what if your new boss is mean like those people at Wright Creatings?”

“Creatives,” I corrected gently. “And that’s why I need to be careful about where I work next.”

Oliver sat up straighter, his expression brightening. ‘I know! You should work at Nest Design!”

I blinked in surprise. “Nest Design? How do you know about them?”

His eyes widened momentarily before he looked down. “My… my cousin worked there. She said they’re nice and make pretty homes.

“Your cousin?” I questioned, wondering about this convenient relative I’d never heard mentioned before.

“Uh–huh. She said they let designers be creative and don’t yell.” He peeked up at me hopefully, “You could make beautiful things there, Mommy.”

I sighed, stroking his hair. “Nest Design is one of the top firms in Chicago, Ollie. They work with elite clients and have their pick of designers from the best schools. I’m not sure I’d qualify,”

“You’re the best designer in the whole world!” Oliver exclaimed, bouncing on my lap with such conviction that my laptop nearly slid off. “They’d be stupid

not to hire you!‘

I couldn’t help laughing again. “Thank you for the vote of confidence. I’ll apply.”

Oliver beamed, wrapping his arms around my neck in a tight hug. For a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the simple comfort of being someone’s everything.

1/2

3:51 pm D M

Chapter 23

Aiden’s POV

I watched Oliver and the woman–Cedar Wright–walk away across the plaza. Something about her troubled me in ways I couldn’t articulate. The gentleness in her eyes when she looked at Oliver. The natural way she held his hand. The slight worry line between her brows that appeared when she called his name.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, interrupting my thoughts. Father’s name flashed on the screen.

“Aiden,” his voice was sharp, brooking no argument. “Meeting in thirty minutes. Board room.”

“Yes, Father,” I answered automatically. “I’ll be there.”

The call ended without pleasantries. I glanced once more at Oliver’s retreating form, torn between following him and obeying Father’s summons. Henderson stood silently beside me, awaiting instruction.

“We’ll continue monitoring from a distance,” I decided. “For now, I need to return to Sterling Group.”

In the fifty–sixth–floor boardroom of Sterling Design Group, the executives had their attention fixed on Father as he systematically dismantled their

presentation.

I sat in my designated corner chair, iPad on my lap, noting each criticism and failure point. Father stood with his back to the room, hands clasped behind

him.

“Uninspired. Derivative. Lacking innovation.” Each word fell like an executioner’s ax. “This proposal offers nothing that differentiates Sterling Design from

our competitors.”

The head of residential development cleared his throat. “We believe the emphasis on sustainable materials will appeal to the target demographic-

‘Sustainability is the baseline, not a selling point, Father cut in without turning around. “Every design firm in Chicago claims environmental consciousness.

I want something revolutionary.”

No one spoke for several moments, the silence punctuated only by nervous shifting in chairs and the faint tapping of my stylus against the iPad screen.

Comments

Write Comments