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Hey guys, sorry for having gone on hiatus with Never Judge for a few weeks. Don't worry, I'm back now and I'm doing my best to do at least one chapter a day.
If you want to learn more about Cedric and his friends, check out my other novel, Rise of the Disgraced Heir. This is Ian's story and it's mostly about revenge.
Please join my discord server and follow my instagram account @wounded_warriorauthor for updates and for a chance to chat with me.
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The rest of the night went on happily as they all agreed to simply celebrate Ayanna's pregnancy. Now three women in their group were expecting and everyone was excited about the influx of children to their group.
The parents decided to leave ahead of everyone, telling them that tonight was for the children to celebrate.
Even Guan Ming's mother had decided to head back to the hotel ahead of her son and Camilla.
Cedric had someone take her back discreetly since they still needed to be careful when it came to Lucius Ting.
When they were finally alone, Cedric sat next to Ram who was watching the group celebrate from the home bar.
"Are you alright?" Cedric asked.
"Yeah, I'm just taking my time to process everything." Ram said with a smile. "I'm not sad or disappointed, in all honesty I'm happy."
"Really?" Cedric asked, quite confused by his friend's reaction.
"Yup, imagine, the family I've been searching for has been here around me all this time." Ram told Cedric. "I understand why they had to keep it a secret from me and from everyone else. We would have done the same for Yoyo, Tristan, and Dominic if that's what was needed."
Cedric nodded in agreement, his friend was right. If that was what it took to keep the children safe they would have done the same thing.
"What are you thinking about?" Cedric asked.
"How to thank the Benitez family, how to make it up to them mostly." Ram said with a sigh. "Their family was torn apart because the Chans are as dysfunctional as you can get. I owe Mien and Mae a lot. They only got to spend days with their father."
"It wasn't your fault." Cedric said as he tried to comfort his friend.
"I know, but I can do something to make their lives and their mother's life better." Ram said with a nod.
"I have them covered, don't worry." Cedric told Ram.
"You don't have to, Cedric." Ram said. "I want to help them. I am thankful for the help you have given them so far and I want to continue helping them."
"Why don't you come and join everyone?" Cedric asked as he got up from the bar. "Why are you even seated here?"
"I couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if the Abads had not taken me in." Ram said with a frown. "What would it be like to be a stranger watching from the sidelines as everyone celebrated."
"You don't need to think of that." Cedric said as he rolled his eyes.
"I know, but it's an interesting thought." Ram said with a shrug as they walked back to join the group.
"Ram, it's so sad that Francesca couldn't join us tonight." His sister, Veronica, said as she frowned at her brother.
"I thought you didn't like Francesca?" Katerina asked her friend with a laugh.
"I was unfair to her." Veronica admitted.
"Woah, did you just admit to making a mistake?" Ayanna asked as she looked at Veronica in shock.
"Oh shut up." Veronica told her, making everyone laugh in response.
"I still need to tell her about this whole who my real parents are." Ram said with a frown.
"Are you guys that serious that you would tell her?" Veronica asked as she gave her brother a suspicious look.
"Yes Veronica, I'm that serious about her." Ram answered in a firm tone.
"Don't tell me." Nicole said with a gasp as she looked at Ram, wide eyed in shock.
"Yes." Ram said with a nod.
"OH MY GOSH!" Katerina squealed as she began to jump up and down.
"Wait, what?" Veronica asked. Confused with what was going on.
"Your brother is going to propose." Miguel told his wife, shocking Veronica.
"No way." Veronica said with a gasp.
As everyone hounded Ram for questions, Cedric noticed Adrianna get up from her seat and walk to the side to answer a call.
He was always worried whenever she wasn't within his line of sight. So he excused himself amidst the celebration and followed Adrianna to the side.
"What's wrong?" Cedric asked as he noticed the distressed look on his wife's face.
"It's Jonathan." Adrianna said as she looked at her husband.
"Is he in danger?" Cedric quickly asked as he tried to assess his wife's reaction.
"I'm not sure." Adrianna responded. "I didn't notice that he had been calling. I picked up my phone and saw that I had already missed three calls, and when I tried picking up the fourth the line was cut."
"Relax Adri." Cedric said as he hugged his wife. "I'm sure he is fine. Let's just wait for him to call again."
"What if he doesn't?" She asked with a frown.
"If Jonathan doesn't call in the next thirty minutes I'll send men out to go look for him. Alright?" Cedric asked his wife as he wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Jonathan is a good kid, he doesn't deserve to be involved in any of the mess his sister has made." Adrianna told her husband in a shaky voice.
"I know, Adri." Cedric told her as he tried to calm her down once more.
As he held Adrianna in his arms, her phone began to ring.
She quickly checked who it was and seemed quite relieved when she saw that it was Jonathan.
"Quick, answer it." Cedric reminded her.
"Jonathan?" Adrinna asked as she picked up the call and placed her phone against her ear.
"Wait, wait, slow down." Adrianna told him.
"Okay, wait let me ask Cedric to send someone to get you, we shouldn't be talking about this over the phone. We'll see you in a bit." Adrianna said as she dropped the call.
"What is it?" Cedric asked as he noticed the worried look on her face.
"Dominic's father gave him a call." Adrianna said as she turned pale.
"Ian!" Cedric shouted as he called for his friend and assistant.