The Sky Remembered the Touch of Our Unfinished Goodbyes by Lysa Orion Rehn 78

Chapter 78 

Cedar’s POV 

“Oliver, shouldn’t you be in bed by now? I asked, unable to hide the smile forming on my lips as his face filled my laptop screen. 

I miss you so much, Mommy!” His cherubic face beamed back at me, those mischievous dark eyes sparkling with excitement. 

My heart swelled with warmth. “Is your daddy nearby?” 

“Of course not! Guess where I am, Mommy?” Oliver’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, clearly delighted with his secret. 

I studied the background behind him. Not artificial lighting, but natural daylight. It was evening in Chicago, which meant… “Are you… in a different 

country?‘ 

“Wow! You’re so smart!” He giggled, bouncing slightly. “We just got off the plane! I’m going to see Grandma! It’s almost her birthday, and I’m going to bring her back for her big party. You have to come to Grandma’s celebration, okay?” 

I hesitated, uncertain. Attend his grandmother’s birthday celebration? Would that be appropriate? But looking at his hopeful little face, those expectant eyes, 

I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. 

“Alright, if your grandmother wouldn’t mind,” I replied softly. 

“Awesome! Grandma will like you too, Mommy,” Oliver exclaimed, bouncing with excitement. “Oh, and Mommy, since I can’t be with you for a while, I left you a special present to keep you company. You have to carry it with you all the time, okay? So whenever you look at it, you’ll think of me. I hid it under my 

pillow!” 

I was touched and a little ashamed that I hadn’t thought to give him something to remember me by. “Thank you, Oliver. I promise I’ll keep it with me always. And I’ll think of you every day.” 

“Master Oliver, the car is here,” a familiar voice called from somewhere off–screen. 

I frowned slightly. That voice sounded remarkably like Hunter. Had they brought him along on an international trip? And did he just call him “Master 

Oliver“? 

“Oops! Gotta go, Mommy! The car’s here. Go to sleep soon, okay? Love you!” Oliver blew a kiss before abruptly ending our call. 

I waved goodbye. The restlessness that had plagued me all evening seemed to dissipate after talking to him. That’s the magic of children, I suppose–they have this extraordinary power to make you believe the world is still beautiful, even when everything feels overwhelming. 

I walked to the bedroom and lifted Oliver’s pillow. Sure enough, there was a small box hidden beneath. Opening it, I froze in astonishment. Inside was a platinum ring with a sparkling gemstone. This was clearly expensive–very expensive. I hesitated, conflicted, but remembered my promise to Oliver. I slipped it onto my finger, making a mental note to prepare something equally special for when I saw him again. 

The next morning at Nest Design, I found myself staring at the project proposal on my desk, hesitating. It wasn’t a minor decision, but it wasn’t exactly major either. All I had to do was sign this document, and we’d be set. 

But Elara’s