We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74

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“Be good, Oliver,” I managed. “Don’t sneak away from home again, okay? If anyone’s mean to you, call me right away. Promise?”

“Of course, Mommy! Bye now!” Oliver waved cheerfully as he followed Hunter to a black car waiting outside.

Through the window, he kept waving until the car disappeared around the corner.

He was gone.

Throughout the day at work, I couldn’t concentrate. Every time my phone buzzed, I grabbed it, hoping it might be Oliver. It never was.

Oliver’s POV

I strutted through the front door of the Sterling mansion. The staff working in the garden froze in collective shock.

“Young Master Oliver! You–you’re back!” one of the maids exclaimed.

I grinned widely. “Yeah! This is my house. I can come back whenever I want. Did you miss me?”

Several staff members looked like they might cry from relief. I knew I was the source of most of the laughter in this cold, limestone palace with its cantilever staircases and minimalist furnishings. Without me, the place probably felt like a museum–all beautiful things

and no joy.

The staff crowded around me, asking questions and checking if I was okay. I raised my hand imperiously, mimicking Daddy.

“I don’t have time for hugs and kisses. Where’s Charles?” I asked, looking for our old butler Charles Coleman.

As if summoned by magic, our elderly butler Charles came rushing out of the house.

“Oh, Young Master Oliver! Thank heavens you’ve returned! If you hadn’t come back soon, these old bones couldn’t have taken much more

stress!”

I knew what he meant. Living with Daddy and Aiden was like living with two ice sculptures in our Gold Coast mansion. Charles probably felt like he was developing arthritis from the cold atmosphere.

I stood on my tiptoes and cleared my throat importantly. “Charles, when Daddy comes home tonight, just tell him I came back. That’s all. I’m leaving now.”

“Young Master, you absolutely cannot leave!” Charles quickly scooped me up in his arms. “If you must go, at least wait until the master

returns.”

‘I’m leaving now!” I yelled, trying to sound tough despite my high–pitched voice.

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8:53 Fri, Nov 7

Chapter 74

I’d specifically chosen daytime to return home, when Daddy would be at the Sterling Group headquarters. If Daddy caught me here, my fate would be truly miserable. I wasn’t stupid!

I struggled fiercely in Charles’s arms. The poor old man couldn’t hold onto me, and pleaded, “Young Master, please be reasonable. If the master learns you came home only to leave again minutes later, wouldn’t the consequences be even worse?”

“Fine, I’ll graciously stay for five minutes,” I conceded.

Charles looked like he might cry.

“Charles, Daddy grew up under your care. He won’t blame you. I really need to go!” I turned to make my escape.

All I needed was to technically fulfill Daddy’s order that I come home. If I ran fast enough, I could still spend tonight with Cedar!

“Oliver, stop right there!” a cold voice commanded from behind me.

I jumped in fright, then turned to see my brother standing in the doorway. I clutched my chest in relief.

“Jeez, Aiden, your voice sounds more and more like Daddy’s. You nearly gave me a heart attack!”

“Come inside. Now.” Aiden’s face was stern, his blue eyes icy with disapproval.

Aiden was only six, but he could already make people squirm just by looking at them–that same scary–calm look Daddy got before someone got in big trouble. How did he learn that so fast? It wasn’t fair.

I shrank back. “Aiden, can’t we talk about this calmly? Don’t be angry, okay?”

I followed Aiden into the living room with slumped shoulders, while Charles made a phone call outside.

“Finally decided to come home?” Aiden asked, his voice unnaturally mature for a six–year–old.

I sank into the chair, looking everywhere but at him. “Just came to see everyone. It’s been a while, and I missed you all…”

Thump!

Aiden coldly dropped a stack of documents on the coffee table.

“Explain this to me.”

I had been casual until that moment, but when I saw the name on those documents, I sat bolt upright. I picked up the file and flipped through it in seconds.