Chapter 155

Chapter 155
Cedar's POV

Emma kept me engaged in conversation for nearly the entire afternoon, revealing a level of openness I hadn't anticipated. She shattered my preconceived notions about socialites. Unlike the women who orbited around Selena, Emma possessed a genuine warmth that caught me off guard. I couldn't help but wonder about the parents who had raised such a refreshingly authentic person in a world often defined by pretense. When I inquired, she explained they were overseas managing a major project for their company and wouldn't return until next month.

Before dinner, Emma orchestrated a lakeside stroll that included Ethan, Ridley, and myself. The conversation flowed primarily between Ethan and Emma, who worked diligently to maintain a lively atmosphere. Ridley maintained his characteristic reserve, rarely glancing in my direction. The space between us remained conspicuously vacant of meaningful exchange.

"The water looks particularly beautiful this evening," Emma observed, gesturing toward the lake where the setting sun painted the surface in shades of amber and gold.

I nodded politely, painfully aware of Ridley's silence beside me. Though physically present, he seemed determined to establish emotional distance.

At dinner, I noticed the children were quieter than usual. They ate with impeccable manners, occasionally exchanging glances but exhibiting no behavior that might raise concern. Aiden maintained his typical composure, while Oliver managed to suppress his customary exuberance. Even Aria, who had been making remarkable progress in her social interactions, seemed subdued.

As we prepared to leave, something unexpected occurred. Aria, typically the most reserved of the three, approached Ethan directly.

"Goodbye, Ethan uncle," she said sweetly, her voice soft but clear.

"Oh, sweetie, goodbye." Ethan bent down to embrace her, a moment of tenderness that seemed to stretch slightly longer than convention might dictate.

When Aria returned to my side, I noticed her small hand tightly clenched inside her pocket, and a smile playing across her lips.

Oliver's POV

By the time we got back to the Sterling mansion, I could barely contain my excitement. The thought of what our secret mission might reveal about Mommy made my heart race like I'd eaten a whole jar of sugar cookies.

After Charles finished our bedtime routine and all the grown-ups went to their rooms, I tiptoed out of my bedroom and knocked softly on Aiden's door.

"Come in," he whispered.

I slipped inside to find Aria already sitting on Aiden's bed, her tiny hands still clutched protectively around something in her pocket.

"Did you get Uncle Ethan's hair?" I asked, keeping my voice super quiet like we were in a spy movie.

Aria nodded and carefully pulled a few short strands of hair from her pocket. "When I hugged him," she explained in a whisper so faint I had to lean closer to hear her. "I pulled them very gently. He didn't even notice."

"That's awesome, Aria!" I gave her a thumbs-up. "Now it's my turn to get Mommy's hair."

Aiden gave me that serious look he always has, like he's carrying the weight of Sterling Enterprises on his six-year-old shoulders. "Be careful, Oliver. If Mommy discovers what we're doing, our entire operation will be compromised."

"Don't worry," I grinned, feeling a rush of confidence. "Nobody's better at secret missions than me."

I crept toward Mommy's room, making my footsteps super quiet like a ninja. I could hear the shower running in her bathroom, which meant this was the perfect moment. My heart did a little dance of excitement.

I pushed her door open just enough to slip inside. Her room smelled like her—warm and comforting, like fresh cookies and sunshine. It reminded me of all the times she'd read me stories or held me when I had bad dreams. Her dressing table had several brushes and combs arranged neatly, and I immediately spotted the wooden brush she used most often.

Super carefully, I pulled a few strands of golden hair from the brush, making sure not to disturb anything else. My hands trembled a little—not because I was scared of getting caught, but because these tiny hairs might unlock the mystery of Mommy's real family.

I wrapped the hairs carefully in a tissue and tucked them into my pocket. Just as I was about to leave, the bathroom doorknob turned. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest as I quickly ducked down beside the bed.

Cedar walked out wrapped in a bathrobe, her hair still wet from the shower. She didn't notice me as she went straight to her dressing table and picked up the brush I'd just touched. I held my breath, terrified she'd realize something was different.

"Strange," she murmured to herself. "I could have sworn I left this more to the right."

A cold sweat broke out on my back. She noticed something! But then she just shrugged and walked back to the bathroom, drying her hair with a towel. I took my chance and very, very carefully slid from my hiding spot to the door, slipping out without making a sound.

I practically bounced back to Aiden's room, waving the tissue triumphantly.

"I did it!" I announced, my voice louder than I meant it to be.

"Shh!" Aiden and Aria warned simultaneously.

"Sorry," I whispered, lowering my voice. "But I got it! Mommy's hair is right here."

Aiden took the tissue and carefully opened it to examine the strands. He looked satisfied and nodded.

"Tomorrow I'll arrange for a lab to conduct the tests," he said, his voice deep and serious like Dad's. "It will take about three days."

"What will we do if the test shows Mommy is related to the Pierce family?" Aria asked, her usually quiet voice tinged with concern.

Aiden thought for a moment. "We'll need more information," he finally said. "If she truly is a member of the Pierce family, why was she adopted by the Wright family? Why hasn't anyone told her the truth?"

"Maybe it's a huge conspiracy!" I said excitedly. "Just like in the movies!"

"Or there could be a simpler explanation," Aiden responded calmly. "Regardless, we need to proceed with caution. If our suspicions are correct, this will change the rest of her life."

We sat there for a while, imagining what might happen if our discovery turned out to be true. If Mommy really was part of the Pierce family, she might move in with them. Anyway, we knew one thing for certain: she would still be our Mommy and love us.

We were helping Mommy find her real family, just like she gave us a mother's love.