Chapter 166

Chapter 166
Cedar's POV

"Cedar?" Ethan's familiar voice came through the speaker. "My parents got back from Paris last night. They're desperate to see you. Can you come over today?"

A surge of emotion rose in my chest. After all these years of wondering and hoping, I was finally going to meet my birth parents.

I struggled to contain my excitement: "Of course, I'll be there."

After hanging up, I found three pairs of expectant eyes fixed on me.

"Was that Uncle Ethan?" Aria asked, her big eyes sparkling.

"Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are back and want to see me," I explained.

"We want to go too!" Oliver jumped up immediately. "We need to be there for Mommy's big moment!"

"Yes, Mommy's family is our family too," Aiden added, his tone calm but eyes revealing his anticipation.

"Well..." I started, but was interrupted by Ridley's voice from the staircase.

"Good morning." He entered the dining room in a perfectly tailored suit, as if last night had never happened. His gaze swept over me, lingered for a second, then moved away casually.

"Daddy!" Oliver called excitedly. "Grandpa and Grandma Pierce are back! Can we all go see them together?"

Ridley looked at me, one eyebrow slightly raised. "The Pierces are back?"

I nodded, working to keep my voice steady. "Yes, Ethan just called asking me to come over. The children want to join. I was planning to take the day off."

"I see." He poured himself coffee, his tone carrying something I couldn't quite read. "It has been a while since I've seen Owen and Elizabeth."

"So you'll come with us, Daddy?" Aria asked hopefully.

Ridley checked his watch and, to my surprise, said, "I can rearrange my morning meetings."

The children cheered while I tried not to look too shocked. After breakfast, we each went to change. I chose a simple blue dress with a light gray cardigan—not too formal, not too casual.

When we gathered in the main hall downstairs, I saw only Charles and the three children. Ridley was nowhere to be seen.

"Mr. Sterling asked me to inform you," Charles said expressionlessly, "that an urgent matter has arisen at the company requiring his immediate attention. He extends his apologies to the Pierces and will visit them another day."

Aria and Oliver's faces fell in disappointment, while Aiden watched my reaction thoughtfully.

"I understand. Thank you, Charles," I said, careful to keep any emotion from my voice. This wasn't surprising, was it? My matters weren't exactly high on his priority list. That name from his dream echoed in my mind again, and I forced myself not to dwell on it.

"Alright, children, time to go," I said with a smile, clapping my hands lightly.

We headed to the garage where Charles had arranged a car for us. As we drove away from the Sterling mansion, I couldn't help looking back at the imposing structure, feeling somehow that today's visit might bring unexpected changes.

---

The car glided through the tree-lined streets of North Shore, and with each passing minute, my heart raced faster. Twenty-six years of wondering, of imagining my parents' faces, was about to end. My palms grew damp with nervous anticipation. I clenched and unclenched my fists, taking deep breaths to steady myself.

"Mommy, your face is all flushed," Aria said, her small hand resting gently on my arm.

"Just a little nervous, sweetheart," I whispered, attempting a smile.

"It's okay. We're here with you," Aiden replied with his characteristic composure.

The car finally pulled up. As I opened the door, I saw them standing on the porch between Ethan and Emma—a woman in a crisp white dress suit, her arm elegantly linked with a man wearing a white button-down and gray vest.

Elizabeth and Owen Pierce. My parents.

The moment our eyes met, Elizabeth's immediately welled with tears. She gently freed herself from her husband's arm and took several steps forward.

"Cedar..." Her voice trembled with twenty-six years of longing and regret compressed into a single word.

I couldn't control myself. After just a few steps, I broke into a run, rushing into her embrace like a child. Her perfume—a delicate floral with woody undertones—enveloped me, warm and comforting, as if filling in a missing piece of my memory.

"Mom..." I choked out, truly saying this word for the first time in my life.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, my darling..." Elizabeth held me tightly, her voice breaking with sobs. "For everything you've been through..."

Owen approached us, his eyes reddened, and gently stroked my hair. "Welcome home, daughter."

In that moment, twenty-six years of loneliness and yearning finally found its anchor. Through tear-blurred vision, I saw Ethan smiling from the porch while Emma hurried toward us, her face already streaked with tears.

"Cedar, I'm so sorry..." Emma cried. "If it weren't for me..."

I took her hand in mine. "It wasn't your fault, Emma. From now on, we're sisters. I hope... I hope we can be a real family."

"We already are a real family," Owen stated firmly, his warm arms encircling both Emma and me.

The three children stood quietly by the car, watching this emotional scene unfold. Elizabeth noticed them, wiped her tears, and approached them with a smile.

"And these must be the Sterling angels," she said warmly, crouching to their level.

"Hello, Mrs. Pierce." Aiden extended his small hand with perfect manners. "I'm Aiden."

"I'm Aria!" Aria performed a little ballet curtsy.

"I'm Oliver!" the youngest announced loudly, then suddenly lunged forward to hug Elizabeth. "You're Mommy's mom, so you're our grandma!"

Elizabeth shot me a surprised glance, but quickly embraced the title with a smile. "If that's what you'd like to call me, I'd be honored."

"Children, mind your manners," I gently reminded them, though Oliver's words had warmed my heart.

"It's perfectly fine, Cedar," Owen laughed, already being pulled along by Aria's eager hand. "We're all family here. Come inside, let's talk."

The Pierce living room was spacious and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a meticulously maintained garden. We gathered on comfortable sofas while the driver Charles had arranged was invited to the kitchen for tea. A housekeeper brought refreshments, and the children quickly warmed to their newfound "grandparents."

Elizabeth sat beside me, holding my hand tightly. "For over twenty years, we were kept in the dark. I'm so sorry... Please believe that Owen and I love you."

I looked at them, fighting back fresh tears, and nodded. "What's past is past. I've found you now, and that's what matters."

"That's right," Owen said. "From now on, you're Cedar Pierce. We'll always be here for you." Ethan and Emma nodded in agreement.

Oliver hugged me. "We're here for Mommy too!" I laughed through my tears, ruffling his adorable face.

Elizabeth looked curiously at Oliver. "Why do you call Cedar 'Mommy'?"

"Because she is our mommy!" Oliver stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"She takes care of us and loves us," Aria added, snuggling against my side.

Aiden explained in his characteristically mature tone, "We have a connection with her, Mrs. Pierce. From the first time we met her, we knew she was special."

I couldn't help smiling as I gently stroked Aiden's hair.

"Are you and Ridley...?" Elizabeth asked, curiosity in her eyes.

"No," I said firmly. "I just take care of the children. They like calling me 'Mommy,' and I've come to love them as my own."

"Well, we understand," Elizabeth said softly, squeezing my hand. "You have a kind heart, Cedar."

Throughout the afternoon and evening, we shared stories about our lives. My parents continuously expressed concern about my past and hope for my future.