We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Cedar’s POV

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“Would you like me to accompany you?”

Ridley’s question caught me off guard, his dark eyes studying me with unexpected intensity. My heart skipped a beat as something unfamiliar

stirred in my chest.

I quickly suppressed whatever that feeling was. ‘If you have a prior relationship with Mr. Wright, attending his birthday celebration would make sense. But if you’ve never even met him, there’s really no need. It’s your decision to make, not mine.”

Before I could clarify further, Selena interjected, ‘Mr. Sterling, women often say one thing while meaning another. What my sister is really saying is that she hopes you’ll offer to accompany her.”

I stared at her in disbelief. How could she possibly interpret my words that way?

“Fine,” Ridley said, accepting the invitation. “I’ll attend,”

After Selena said her goodbyes and drove away, I felt heat creeping into my cheeks. What just happened?

“Mr. Sterling, if there’s nothing else, I should head home now,” I said awkwardly.

Suddenly Aiden spoke up, pulling Oliver closer to him. “Dad, would you mind driving Cedar home? I can go back with Henderson.”

Ridley’s lips curved slightly. “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

“That’s really not necessary, I protested, “I can just take a cab!”

The thought of being alone in a car with him made me inexplicably nervous.

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‘I promised Aiden 1 would see you home safely,” Ridley replied evenly. “If fail to keep my word, what would that teach him about integrity?”

I had no response to that. Reluctantly, I slid into the passenger seat of his sleek Audi.

As we drove through Chicago’s evening streets, cool air blowing through the slightly opened windows, I found myself stealing glances at Ridley’s profile. My mind kept drifting to Aiden and Aria, and strangely, I found myself wondering what his third child might be like.

I was definitely losing my mind.

The car finally pulled up in front of my aging apartment building in Wicker Park. I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned slightly toward him.

“Thank you for the ride home, Mr. Sterling,” I said softly.

Ridley suddenly turned his head toward me. His eyes were dark as midnight, like storm clouds across an evening sky, making it impossible to read what he was thinking. He just stared at me silently, then gradually leaned closer.

The confined space of his luxury car and the ambiguous atmosphere made my cheeks flush hot. I should have known better–nothing simple ever happened when I was alone with this man.

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11:15 Mon, Feb 2 DB B

Chapter 95

I pressed myself against the door, trying to create distance. “Mr. Sterling, What are you doing?” I managed to ask.

“You now know I have three children,” he said, his voice low. “Don’t you have any questions about that?”

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He moved even closer. The distance between us narrowed to mere inches.could feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek.

I swallowed hard, avoiding his intense gaze. Why would his three children have anything to do with me? Sure, I adored Aiden and Aria, but

that didn’t give me any right to pry into Sterling family matters.

My hand fumbled for the door handle. “I–I should go. We’re at my place, stammered.

“Aiden and Aria both like you very much,” he said, his hand moving to block the door. “And if I’m not mistaken, my other child would probably

like you too. Don’t you have anything to say about that?”

His voice maintained its cool detachment, but I detected something else beneath it–some emotion I couldn’t quite identify. A feeling I didn’t

understand.

I pressed my lips together, lowering my eyes. If I had to ask something…

“Mr. Sterling, if you don’t mind me asking… are all three of your children from the same mother?”

Ridley nodded slowly. The beautiful line of his jaw tightened as he pressed his lips together without elaborating.

“May I ask how old your third child is?” I held my breath waiting for his answer.

“Six.”

My mind exploded. Six years old! Three children, all six years old!

“Are they triplets?” I blurted out. That would be some impressive genetics,

“They’re not triplets,” Ridley said, finally releasing his hold on the door. He pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly frustrated.

I sat there in shock, my jaw practically hanging open. Same mother, all born in the same year, but not triplets? How was that even possible?

I tried to compose myself, swallowing hard. “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand…”

‘I don’t fully understand it myself,” he said quietly. “So how could you?”

Ridley leaned back against the seat, unable to hide his frustration. He lifted his dark eyes to meet mine and spoke in a low voice, “Aiden and Aria have grown up without a mother’s care. Maternal love is something missing from their lives, which is why they’ve become so attached to you. He paused, his expression softening slightly. “I know the children have caused some disruption in your life, but as their father, I selfishly hope that when you have time, you might give them the affection they need.”

‘Of course I will, I responded without hesitation.

Looking at Ridley’s face, I caught a glimpse of vulnerability beneath his controlled exterior. In that moment, I felt a surge of sympathy for this man. Three children, no mother, and even with household staff to help, he must have shouldered an enormous burden.

No wonder Aiden was so mature for his age. As the eldest brother, he’d taken on responsibilities no six–year–old should have to beat. The weight on his small shoulders was probably heavier than what many adults carried, including myself.

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11:15 Mon, Feb 2 DB B.

Chapter 95

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My heart ached for Aiden and I adored little Aria. These children had brought unexpected joy to my life. If they needed me, I would gladly be

there for them, anytime.

“Mr. Sterling, it’s getting late. I should head up now,” I said, opening the car door. “Drive safely on your way home.”

As I walked toward my building, I could feel his intense gaze burning into my back. I didn’t dare turn around, just hurried through the entrance

doors and into the lobby.

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