We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Cedar’s POV

I stood in the crowd, momentarily frozen by the sudden commotion. One second Selena was standing before me with that calculating gleam in her eyes, trying to pressure me into accepting a glass of champagne, and the next–chaos. A small figure darted through the crowd, and before I could process what was happening, Selena’s dress dropped to the floor. Her horrified scream pierced through the elegant murmur of the gala, and all eyes turned toward her exposed form.

My stomach tightened with a mix of shock and–if I’m being honest–a flicker of satisfaction. But the feeling dissipated almost instantly when I realized this momentary revenge brought me no real joy.

After a moment’s hesitation, I turned and walked to the coatroom, retrieving a pashmina wrap I’d left there earlier. The rational part of. my brain whispered that I should just walk away, let her handle her own disaster for once. But something deeper pushed me back toward the scene.

When I returned, I draped the wrap over Selena’s exposed shoulders, avoiding eye contact with the crowd of onlookers whose expressions ranged from shock to poorly concealed amusement.

“Cover yourself,” I said quietly.

It wasn’t out of kindness, really. I simply couldn’t stand watching another woman being scrutinized and judged for her body. No matter our differences, the Wright family had raised me, and this small gesture cost me nothing. Besides, despite everything, I refused to sink to her level of cruelty.

Selena clutched at the wrap like it was a lifeline, pulling it tightly around her nearly exposed figure. When she looked up to thank whoever had helped her, her expression transformed instantly from relief to hatred.

“Cedar, she spat, her voice trembling with rage. “You came to enjoy the show, didn’t you? You’re dying to see me humiliated, dying to see me ruined. You worthless bitch! Everything that’s happening tonight is your fault! I won’t let you get away with this!”

I felt my face harden as familiar disappointment washed over me. Of course she would blame me. In Selena’s world, she was perpetually the victim, and I was forever the villain. A cold weariness settled in my chest–I’d extended an olive branch, and she’d tried to stab me with it. Again. After all these years, nothing had changed. She would never see me as anything but a threat to be eliminated.

“I didn’t- I began, but stopped myself. What was the point? She wouldn’t believe me anyway.

Before I could step back, she lunged at me, fingers clawing for the delicate fabric of my evening gown. I could see the intent in her eyes- she wanted to tear my dress to shreds, to expose me to the same cruel spotlight she’d been under moments ago.

I raised my arms instinctively, prepared to defend myself. Enough was enough. I’d spent years absorbing Selena’s attacks, always turning the other cheek, always walking away. But not tonight. I wouldn’t just stand there and let her assault me.

But the attack never landed.

9:41 Thu, Nov 6 G

Chapter 51

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There was another sharp sound as someone intervened, and Selena was suddenly sprawled on the marble floor, looking even more disheveled than before. I looked up to see Ridley standing protectively in front of me, his tall frame an impenetrable barrier between

Selena and myself.

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My heart hammered in my chest, surprise mingling with a disturbing sense of security I hadn’t expected to feel in his presence. I hadn’t even realized he’d returned to the gala. I thought he’d left after our earlier conversation.

Selena lay on the floor, the wrap now completely dislodged, leaving her exposed in a way that made even me uncomfortable. Her makeup

was smeared, her carefully styled hair now a tangled mess.

“Ridley…” she whimpered, her voice transforming into something small and pleading. “You said you had a surprise for me. I don’t need it

anymore–could I just borrow your jacket, please?”

Ridley didn’t even glance at her. The disgust in his eyes was palpable as he replied in a voice cold enough to frost the champagne glasses.

“If I’m not mistaken, the surprise has already been delivered to Wright Creatives.”

As he spoke, a memory surfaced in my mind. It was from that time when Selena and Elara had come looking for me at the company.

Ridley had helped me then, and I vaguely remembered him saying something about giving Selena a surprise. The thought made me pause

– could this entire fiasco be part of that? Though it seemed unlikely; after all, it was obviously just a child who had stepped on her dress.

Still, what about that “surprise” from Wright Creative he’d mentioned? I decided not to overthink it. Whatever was going on, they deserved

whatever they got.

Selena seemed to realize this too, her eyes darting between us. “It’s you!” she shrieked, pointing a trembling finger at me. “You turned him

against me, didn’t you? You’ve been whispering in his ear, telling him lies about me-”

“Remove her,” Ridley interrupted sharply.

Immediately, security personnel materialized from the edges of the room. They’d been watching the scene unfold with barely concealed

interest, and now moved forward with alarming eagerness.

Two large men grabbed Selena by her bare arms and began dragging her toward the exit. I caught the inappropriate glances they exchanged, saw one of them “accidentally” brush against her exposed skin. Selena’s horrified gasp was audible even across the now–silent

ballroom.

“Let go of me! I can walk myself out, you animals!” she screamed, trying to wrench free from their grip.

One of the guards smiled unpleasantly. “Miss Wright is a bit unsteady tonight. We’d better escort her properly, wouldn’t want her to cause

another scene.”

As they hauled her away, the flash of cameras erupted near the exit. Tomorrow’s design blogs and society pages would be merciless.

I stood frozen, unsure how to feel. Selena had made my life miserable for years. Now it was time for her to learn how to behave herself.

Chapter 51

Ridley turned to face me, his expression unreadable. “Are you alright?”

I nodded slowly, but something about this entire mess left me on edge. The hatred in Selena’s eyes when she’d confronted me earlier was unmistakable that kind of grudge doesn’t just disappear.

–

If Wright Creative suffered any real damage from tonight’s disaster, I had no doubt she’d try to make it my fault somehow. A knot formed in my stomach as I realized I might need to start watching my back more carefully than ever.

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