We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 56

Oliver’s POV

My phone buzzed again after I got back to my room while Mommy went to shower. It was Daddy again, and my tummy did that flippy thing it always does when he calls. I thought about not answering, but Daddy always found a way to make things worse when I ignored

him.

“Hello, Daddy,‘ I said, trying to sound calm.

“Oliver.” His voice was cold, like ice cubes dropping into a glass. “This is day nine of your latest disappearing act. You’ve broken your previous record.”

I sat up straighter, squeezing my stuffed elephant Mr. Trunks against my chest. “That’s not fair! Last time wasn’t running away. I was at

Grandma’s house.”

“Semantics,” Daddy said, using one of those grown–up words he knows I understand but wishes I didn’t. “The fact remains that you’ve

been absent from your home for nine days. This behavior is unacceptable.”

I bit my lip, looking across the room where Hunter was pretending not to listen while organizing my architecture books.

I’m not coming back,” I said, trying to sound brave. “I like it better here.”

“I wasn’t asking for your preference.” Daddy’s voice got even colder. “You have three days to return home, or there will be consequences.”

“What kind of consequences?” I asked, though I already knew it would be something awful.

“For starters, Hunter will be sent on an overseas security assignment for six months.”

My heart dropped like an elevator with broken cables. “You can’t do that! Hunter is MINE!”

“I can and I will. Three days, Oliver. The clock is ticking.”

The call ended, and I threw the phone across the room. It bounced off the sofa and landed on the carpet. I was glad Mommy was in the

shower and couldn’t hear me talking to Daddy. She didn’t know who I really was, and I wanted to keep it that way forever.

“That didn’t sound good, Hunter said, picking up my phone and bringing it back to me.

“Daddy says I have to come home in three days or he’ll send you away. I crossed my arms, feeling my bottom lip tremble. He’s so mean!

Why does he always ruin everything?”

Hunter sat on the edge of the bed. “Maybe we could work out a compromise. You could spend days at the mansion and evenings here with Ms. Wright.”

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Chapter 56

“That’s the dumbest idea ever!” I said, then immediately felt bad when Hunter’s face fell. “Sorry. But don’t you see? If I go back, Daddy will never let me leave again. He’ll hire more security and probably lock me in my room forever.”

“That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?” Hunter raised an eyebrow.

“No, I don’t think. You just don’t know him like I do.” I flopped back on the pillows. “And besides, how would I explain to Mommy why I’m suddenly not staying here all the time?”

Hunter sighed and retreated to the corner of the room, his big frame somehow looking smaller. “Following you is really exhausting

sometimes, Master Oliver.”

“Well, nobody asked you to be tall,” I muttered, which made no sense, but I was too upset to care.

Cedar’s POV

The next day, morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across Oliver’s sleeping face. I leaned down and pressed a

soft kiss to his forehead, breathing in the scent of baby shampoo and that indescribable sweetness that only children seem to possess.

His eyes fluttered open, and a smile spread across his face. “Morning, Mommy,” he mumbled, reaching up to touch my cheek.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” I whispered. “Time to get up. Hunter will be here soon.”

It was still strange to think that just over a week ago, my life had been so different. Now, I found myself naturally falling into the rhythms of motherhood, preparing Oliver’s favorite breakfast and laying out his clothes for the day. The transition had been surprisingly seamless, as if some dormant part of me had always known how to be his mother.

After helping Oliver brush his teeth and get dressed, I made us pancakes. As we ate, I noticed Oliver seemed distracted, glancing at his

watch more frequently than usual.

“Everything okay, sweetie?” I asked, reaching over to wipe a smudge of syrup from his chin.

“Yes! Everything’s super great!” he answered too quickly, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Before I could probe further, there was a knock at the door, Hunter had arrived right on schedule. I was grateful for his reliability–and his willingness to spend long hours with Oliver while I was at work.

“There’s pancakes if you’re hungry, Hunter,” I offered as I gathered my things. “I’ll be back around six.”

Oliver clung to me a little longer than usual when I kissed him goodbye. “I love you, Mommy,” he said, his voice sounding oddly urgent.

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

As I walked to the bus stop, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was bothering Oliver, But between my new role as a mother and my responsibilities at Nest Design, I barely had time to breathe, let alone analyze a child’s mood swings.

Chapter 56

At the office, I settled at my desk and began reviewing emails when a headline on my news feed caught my eye: “Wright Creatives Heiress in Scandalous Photo Leak, Stock Plummets.”

I clicked the link, my stomach tightening as I read about how compromising photos of Selena had been “leaked” online after her public humiliation at the gala. Wright Creatives‘ stock had dropped nearly 30% overnight, and several high–profile clients–including some I had previously courted–had already announced they were terminating their contracts.

Part of me felt a twinge of satisfaction, remembering all the times Selena had tried to sabotage me. But another part–the part that had given her my wrap at the gala–felt uncomfortable with her public shaming. No woman deserved to have her body turned into tabloid

fodder, not even Selena.

I closed the article and focused on my work. The upcoming design showcase for Nest Design’s new residential concept series was

scheduled for next month, and as Design Director, I needed to finalize the presentation materials and promotional video concept. We

would be revealing our innovative approaches to urban living spaces–something that had become my specialty since joining the company.

Thomas greeted me with unusual enthusiasm when I entered the conference room for our meeting.

“Ms. Wright! Just the creative mind I’ve been waiting for.” He pulled out my chair with a flourish.

“Just Cedar is fine,” I said, setting down my portfolio.

“Nonsense! A woman of your caliber deserves proper address.” His smile was wide, his tone deferential. “Now, shall we discuss the

showcase timeline?”

For the next three hours, we went through every detail of the design showcase. Thomas approved all my suggestions with minimal

questions, a stark contrast to his usual critical approach. When I proposed an increased budget for the concept visualization videos and

virtual walkthroughs, he simply nodded and made a note.

‘Consider it done, Ms. Wright,” he said, not even bothering to check the numbers.

As our meeting concluded, I gathered my notes, feeling satisfied with our progress but unsettled by Thomas’s behavior. In the hallway, I

noticed a group of colleagues glancing my way before quickly averting their eyes.

We Want Mommy, Not You, Daddy!

Chapter 57