Aiden\u2019s POV<\/p>\n
While Father was greeting the other guests, I had no interest in the boring adult conversations. I left the crowd and walked around.<\/p>\n
My attention drifted to the displayed pieces throughout the interior design showcase. Most were predictable\u2014overly ornate lighting fixtures, sculptural furniture more suited to galleries than homes. But one collection caught my eye\u2014a series of minimalist home organization solutions that seemed both elegant and functional.<\/p>\n
\u201cWright Creatives,\u201d I read from the small plaque, examining the clean lines and innovative storage concepts. The designer credit read \u201cCedar Wright.\u201d Interesting\u2014the design language was distinctly different from Wright Creatives\u2019 usual ornate aesthetic. The pieces demonstrated sophisticated spatial understanding while maintaining accessibility. A difficult balance most designers failed to achieve.<\/p>\n
A vibration from my pocket interrupted my assessment. Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, I slipped toward the balcony doors.<\/p>\n
\u201cReport,\u201d I said quietly to the man waiting in the shadows.<\/p>\n
Henderson, my personal assistant, straightened. \u201cYoung Master, we\u2019ve tracked Master Oliver\u2019s location to the Wicker Park district.\u201d<\/p>\n
A mixture of relief and irritation washed through me. It had been two days since Oliver\u2019s disappearance. Father\u2019s stoic expression couldn\u2019t hide his growing concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich specific building?\u201d I kept my voice level, though a hint of frustration slipped through.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s remained within the same block, but we haven\u2019t pinpointed the exact apartment yet. We\u2019ve narrowed it to a five-story building on North Damen Avenue.\u201d<\/p>\n
I processed this information, weighing options. \u201cIncrease surveillance but maintain distance. Absolute discretion is essential. If anyone discovers Oliver\u2019s identity or location before we\u2019re ready, the media attention could be problematic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Henderson nodded. \u201cWe\u2019ve also verified Master Oliver is safe and appears\u2026 content.\u201d<\/p>\n
That last word caught my attention. Oliver was rarely content, especially at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cContinue monitoring. Focus resources on the Wicker Park location, but ensure security remains invisible. And Henderson\u2014not a word to Father about this. Understood?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Young Master.\u201d<\/p>\n
I felt it then\u2014the weight of eyes on my back. Turning smoothly, I scanned the glass doors leading back into the ballroom. A woman in a simple blue dress stood half-illuminated by the ballroom\u2019s golden light, observing me.<\/p>\n
My first instinct was annoyance at being caught during a private conversation. But as our eyes met, something unexpected happened. She smiled\u2014not the calculating smile adults typically offered, but something genuine. Warmer.<\/p>\n
I studied her with practiced precision. Mid-twenties, simple but quality attire, posture suggesting quiet confidence rather than social ambition. Her eyes held a curious gentleness that seemed strangely\u2026 familiar.<\/p>\n
\u201cAiden.\u201d Father\u2019s voice broke my assessment as he appeared in the doorway. \u201cThe showcase presentation is about to begin.\u201d<\/p>\n
He followed my gaze toward the woman and then turned his attention back to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you located Oliver?\u201d he asked, voice low enough that only I could hear.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s attending an outdoor exploration camp,\u201d I replied without hesitation. \u201cPoor signal reception in the area. I\u2019ve confirmed he\u2019s safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Father\u2019s eyes narrowed slightly. \u201cDon\u2019t cover for him, Aiden. I know he\u2019s acting out because of my disciplinary measures.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps your reaction to the paint incident was excessive,\u201d I suggested carefully.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Sterling Gallery opening was not the appropriate venue for creativity,\u201d Father replied, his tone final. \u201cWe\u2019ll discuss this later. I need you to oversee the new residence series when we return. Your eye for detail will be valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded, slipping into our familiar business discussion, outlining potential approaches for the project while Father listened with serious consideration. Most adults found it disconcerting when I spoke about design principles or market positioning, but Father had always treated my insights with respect.<\/p>\n
Cedar\u2019s POV<\/p>\n
I listened as guests crowded around Mr. Sterling with plastered-on smiles, introducing their companies while he responded with professional nods. When Elara and Jonathan finally began presenting our company and introducing Selena, his gaze slowly shifted our way. He glanced briefly at Selena before his eyes unexpectedly settled on me.<\/p>\n
I was caught off guard, smiling awkwardly as I met his gaze. The moment our eyes connected, I felt an electric jolt, my heartbeat quickening. Only then did I truly take him in\u2014his chiseled jawline, piercing dark brown eyes, and broad shoulders perfectly framed by his tailored suit. His dark hair was styled with just the right amount of casualness to contrast his otherwise polished appearance.<\/p>\n
His brow furrowed slightly as he studied me for what felt like an eternity before finally looking away. My gaze remained fixed on him, as if magnetically drawn, until he broke the connection. For reasons I couldn\u2019t explain, he gave me an overwhelming sense of familiarity, though this was definitely our first face-to-face meeting.<\/p>\n
When I finally turned away, I immediately met Selena\u2019s look of disgust. Ignoring her, I slipped away from the crowd toward a more open area of the exhibition.<\/p>\n
From my position near the design displays, I observed the curious tableau on the balcony. The little boy who was beside Ridley Sterling before, stood conversing with a security guard with an authority that seemed impossible for his age. His posture, the tilt of his head, even his hand gestures mimicked his father\u2019s perfectly.<\/p>\n
When he caught me watching, I expected childish embarrassment. Instead, his assessment was cool and methodical, as though cataloging every detail of my appearance. I couldn\u2019t help but smile at this miniature businessman.<\/p>\n
I watched as Ridley Sterling joined his son, their interaction more like colleagues than father and child. Even their conversation seemed formal, lacking the natural warmth of family. Something about that made my heart ache.<\/p>\n
Realizing I had been staring at them for too long and might seem rude, I walked away. I needed to use the restroom anyway. The evening had been utterly monotonous\u2014these social gatherings weren\u2019t really my thing. Maybe splashing some water on my face would help me feel better.<\/p>\n
As I approached the restroom, I heard Elara\u2019s voice from inside, pitched low but clear enough. \u201cMake sure Cedar goes to Brad\u2019s private box tomorrow night. The drink will be prepared in advance.\u201d<\/p>\n
I froze, hand on the door.<\/p>\n
Selena\u2019s voice followed, dripping with malice. \u201cOnce Cedar drinks it, she\u2019ll be \u2018compliant enough\u2019 for Brad\u2019s taste. He\u2019ll be very satisfied.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd when Brad is satisfied,\u201d Elara continued, \u201cthe $8 million contract he promised will be ours. Cedar only needs to sacrifice one evening.\u201d<\/p>\n
My stomach lurched violently. They were planning to\u2026 to drug me? To essentially trade me to Brad Wilson for a contract? The cold calculation in Elara\u2019s voice made it clear this wasn\u2019t an impulsive decision.<\/p>\n
I backed away silently, my hands trembling. After everything I\u2019d done for Wright Creatives\u2014the late nights, the award-winning designs, the client relationships I\u2019d carefully built\u2014I was nothing more to them than a commodity to be traded.<\/p>\n
I need to get out of here.<\/p>\n
My vision blurred as I hurried down the hallway. My entire relationship with the Wright family crystallized in that moment\u2014I\u2019d never been a daughter to them, only an asset. A tool. A transaction.<\/p>\n
Lost in my spiraling thoughts, I didn\u2019t notice the solid presence before me until I collided with a firm chest, strong hands steadying my shoulders as I stumbled backward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI apologize, I wasn\u2019t\u2014\u201d I began, then looked up into the cold, assessing eyes of his.<\/p>\n
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
The Sky Remembered the Touch of Our Unfinished Goodbyes by Lysa Orion Rehn 5 Chapter 5 Aiden\u2019s POV While Father […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[88],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-zero-stars-for-daddy-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30404","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30404"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30404\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}