We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Cedar’s POV

The little boy clung to my neck for dear life, his tiny arms wrapped around me like a lifeline.

Just then, a phone vibrated on the desk, and Ridley’s hand pulled back abruptly.

“Mommy, let’s go!” Oliver cried out, his grip tightening around my neck.

“Mr. Sterling, we’re leaving!” I seized the opportunity and hurried out with the child in my arms.

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I carried Oliver all the way down to the lobby, my heart racing with each step. Once we reached the ground floor, I helped him remove the

small trench coat he was wearing and examined it curiously.

“Where did you get this coat, sweetie?” I asked.

“A strange man gave it to me…” Oliver patted his little chest dramatically, still catching his breath. “Mommy, that big bad wolf upstairs

was so scary. My little heart almost stopped beating!”

I tapped the tip of his nose gently. “And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t come to Mommy’s workplace anymore.”

“Mommy, can’t you just quit?” Oliver’s expression grew serious, his eyes pleading.

I hailed a cab and sat in the back seat with him on my lap. “Oliver, remember this job was actually your suggestion for me to try. Now

that I’ve started here, I need to see it through. Besides, the salary is good–enough for me to take care of you properly.”

$150,000 a year is nothing! You should be making at least $500,000!” He pouted, clearly having no concept of money.

“Such a silly thing to say.” I laughed, but my smile quickly faded as reality sank in.

Two more days. In just two days, Oliver would have to go back.

The thought tore at my heart. I couldn’t bear it. This child was the light of my life, my softest, warmest light, and I couldn’t stand the

thought of him being taken away.

But I knew this separation was inevitable. Our stolen time together could never last forever.

As the cab weaved through Chicago’s evening traffic, I held him tighter, memorizing the weight of him in my arms, the scent of his hair,

the sound of his breathing. The Gold Coast’s glittering high–rises reflected in the taxi window seemed to mock me with their permanence while my happiness remained so fleeting.

Ridley’s POV

Chapter 69

I watched her flee with the child, a bitter smile twisting my lips.

What was I doing, getting worked up over this woman? The adopted daughter of the Wright family–looking into her background would be effortless. An unmarried woman with a child–in our circles, that could hardly be a well–kept secret.

I’d have someone investigate tomorrow. There was no need to rush.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

The insistent vibration from my desk cut through my thoughts. I walked back to my office and picked up the phone.

Daisy Black.

In all these years, Daisy had been discreet enough not to call me in the evening. A call this late suggested something urgent.

I answered the phone.

“Ridley, come quickly! Aria spoke!” Her voice was breathless with excitement.

My expression hardened instantly. I grabbed my suit jacket and headed for the door.

Daisy’s apartment building loomed against the darkening Michigan shoreline. I pulled up to the entrance and got out, my usual

composure replaced by urgent strides.

“Ridley, slow down, don’t rush.” Daisy hurried to meet me. She wore casual home attire, the neckline loose while the waist was cinched to

accentuate her figure.

I barely glanced at her. “What happened?” My voice was cold, focused only on the matter at hand.

“The doctors said Aria needs more interaction with the outside world to create connections, so I took her to the amusement park this

afternoon,” Daisy explained carefully,

“She seemed to enjoy herself there. I took many photos–look, Aria’s not smiling, but her expression is relaxed, don’t you think?”

We Want Mommy, Not You, Daddy!