Chapter 39\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedar\u2019s POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
The morning light filtered through the gauzy curtains of my modest apartment as I finished buttoning my silk blouse. Hunter had arrived precisely at seven, his punctuality a trait I\u2019d come to appreciate during these past few weeks. Oliver sat cross\u2013legged on the living room rug, still in his pajamas, carefully arranging his collection of miniature architectural models\u2013gifts from Hunter that had quickly become his treasures.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHunter, thank you again for coming on such short notice,\u201d I said, gathering my portfolio and the paper bag containing Ridley\u2019s dry cleaned suit. \u201cOliver\u2019s been having some bad dreams lately. If he seems upset\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hunter nodded, his expression reassuring. I understand, Ms. Wright. We\u2019ll have a good day together.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ill be extra good, Mommy,\u201d Oliver promised, looking up from his models with those earnest blue eyes that never failed to melt my heart. And I\u2019ll finish all\u00a0<\/p>\n
my lessons.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1 knelt down, brushing his soft curls from his forehead. \u201cI know you will, sweetheart. You\u2019re my perfect little man.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His small arms wrapped around my neck, and I breathed in the clean, soapy scent of his hair. These moments\u2013these simple, perfect moments\u2013still felt like\u00a0<\/p>\n
miracles to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As I stood to leave, my fingers tightened around the paper bag containing Ridley\u2019s suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today, I would finally free myself of this lingering obligation to Chicago\u2019s most intimidating businessman.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The design floor at Nest Design buzzed with activity as I finished reviewing concept boards for a residential project. My team had produced excellent work,\u00a0<\/p>\n
and I\u2019d spent the morning offering feedback and direction. Now, it was time for the more delicate part of my day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I made my way to Thomas Coleman\u2019s office, knocking lightly on his open door. \u201cThomas? Do you have a moment?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked up from his computer, and something in his expression shifted\u2013a subtle straightening of his posture, a careful arrangement of his features into\u00a0<\/p>\n
professional deference that seemed oddly exaggerated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCedar! Of course, please come in,\u201d he said, gesturing to the chair across from his desk. \u201cHow can I help you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was wondering if Mr. Sterling is in the building today,\u2018 I said, trying to sound casual. \u201cI need to return something to him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thomas\u2019s eyebrows rose slightly. \u201cMr. Ridley Sterling? No, he\u2019s at Sterling headquarters today. But Young Master Aiden is here, actually. He\u2019s been spending time in the executive suite, learning the business.\u201d He paused, studying me. \u201cIs there something I can help you with instead?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shook my head. \u201cIt\u2019s a personal matter. Thank you, though.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As I turned to leave, I noticed something strange in Thomas\u2019s demeanor\u2013a certain deference I hadn\u2019t seen before. It was as if I were someone to be handled with particular care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Walking back through the design department, I caught fragments of whispered conversations that abruptly halted as I passed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026did you see her going into Coleman\u2019s office with that fancy bag\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026Coleman practically trips over himself when she walks in\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
4:00 pm\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 39\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026must be gifts we\u2019re not seeing. She must have gotten that position through connections or bribes\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I kept my eyes forward, my expression neutral, though I felt heat creeping up my neck. Office politics weren\u2019t new to me, but being at the center of gossip\u00a0<\/p>\n
certainly was.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Cedar!\u201d Melissa\u2019s voice rang out, deliberately loud enough for the entire department to hear. \u201cSome of us were wondering what\u2019s your secret to getting such special treatment from management? Especially for someone without the traditional qualifications.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The room fell silent. I turned slowly, meeting her smug gaze with a level one of my own.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I believe my work speaks for itself, Melissa,\u201d I replied, keeping my voice even. \u201cIf you have questions about my qualifications, you\u2019re welcome to review the project presentation I submitted.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could have explained more to defend myself. But I\u2019d learned long ago that when people are determined to think the worst, explanations only feed the fire,\u00a0<\/p>\n
The elevator to the executive floor moved with silent efficiency, its polished brass interior reflecting my nervous expression back at me. The paper bag containing Ridley\u2019s suit felt heavier with each passing floor. Was I overstepping by coming here? Perhaps I should have just mailed it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the doors opened, I stepped into a hushed corridor of power. Every surface was either gleaming glass or rich walnut, the carpet so thick it absorbed all sound.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I approached what appeared to be the main office, its door slightly ajar. Through the crack, I could see Aiden, seated at a desk sized for an adult. Despite his small stature, he commanded the space with an authority that was uncanny in its miniature resemblance to his father\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just two days ago, he was sitting at my kitchen table, eating with Oliver and me over dinner\u2013shy, sweet, just like a regular kid. Now here he stands like a\u00a0<\/p>\n
tiny CEO in training.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Parker,\u201d Aiden\u2019s clear voice carried through the gap, addressing someone I couldn\u2019t see, \u201cyou\u2019ve flagged a new design director\u2019s compensation package as\u00a0<\/p>\n
exceeding industry standards.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1 froze, my heart suddenly pounding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Young Master Aiden,\u201d replied a man with a crisp British accent\u2013likely the financial advisor. \u201cIt\u2019s significantly above our standard rate for design directors. I thought perhaps there was an error in processing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me have a check.\u2018 He seemed to be reviewing documents on his desk. \u201cAh, this is Cedar Wright. I remember her portfolio.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut sir, her credentials, while respectable, don\u2019t justify such an outlier in our compensation structure,\u201d Parker persisted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I may remind you, Mr. Parker, Aiden replied with unexpected firmness, \u201cI personally approved this package when Mr. Coleman presented it. Ms. Wright\u2019s innovative approach demonstrated value beyond standard metrics. Her spatial concepts alone justified the compensation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was a pause, and I held my breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis matter is settled,\u2018 Aiden concluded. \u201cThe agreed compensation stands. That will be all, Mr. Parker.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My mind reeled. Aiden\u2013a six\u2013year\u2013old child\u2013had approved my salary? And apparently at a rate far above normal? None of this made sense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before I could process this information, the door swung open fully, and I found myself face\u2013to\u2013face with Aiden.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
We Want Mommy, Not You, Daddy!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 40\u00a0<\/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 Uninished Goodbyes by Lysa Orion Rehn 39 Chapter 39\u00a0 Cedar\u2019s POV\u00a0 The morning […]<\/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-30438","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\/30438","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=30438"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30438\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}