Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Molly pursed her lips as she accepted Chad's room key.

At the Byrne household, Vivian, despite being part of the family, never felt truly welcomed. At the dinner table, she remained silent, hardly uttering a word. Kendrick couldn't fathom why his wife insisted on keeping Vivian around.

With a cold snort, Coleen spoke up, "Do you really think I'm blind to her scheming? She's bold enough to set herself on fire just to frame my daughter. I can't let such a malicious woman roam free before the case is solved. If I don't keep her under my watchful eye, who knows what she might do next to harm my girl."

After the incident, Coleen immediately weighed her options. As much as she loathed the sight of Vivian, sending her away wouldn't solve anything. The Byrnes were experts at not taking no for an answer. If you tried to cut ties, they would pester you relentlessly. And Vivian, her cunning was far superior to Juliana's. You keep dangerous dogs tied up where you can see them.

Ruling out spontaneous combustion, and considering it was deliberate arson, the room had housed only her and her daughter. Coleen knew her daughter Molly better than anyone after raising her for over a decade. It simply had to be Vivian who started the fire! Coleen understood the police needed evidence. She couldn't just tell them "Vivian did it to frame my daughter," because without proof, her words would be dismissed, and Vivian could even twist the story against her. Didn't Chad also believe his sister was innocent? He hadn't said a word; instead, he was investigating.

A person who would harm themselves to set a trap was someone to fear. Coleen wasn't afraid for herself; she feared what Vivian could do to her daughter if not kept in sight. "Why would she target our girl?" Kendrick was perplexed.

Through the mirror, dabbing on hand cream, Coleen glanced at her husband sprawled on the bed and thoughtfully replied, "Don't worry, her actions will reveal her motives."

...

Molly had been at the Cedillo residence for less than a day when Chad returned from work to find a lump beneath his bedsheets and two books sprawled open on the nightstand, covered in notes.

Approaching the bed, Chad gently shook the sleeping Molly awake. "Hey, you've been out for a while. It's already dark outside," he said softly.

"Mm, you're back?" Molly murmured, her voice sleepy and sweet as she lay tangled in the sheets, unaware of the time. Chad's heart swelled at the sound of her voice.

close, looking as if he were lying next to her. Propping himself up on one elbow, he gently stroked

bleary eyes, replied, "Henry, the little rascal at home, he's too distracting. Can't study a thing with him around. I get the urge to cuddle and kiss him every time I hear his voice. So, I had to come here

study here,

Molly announced with a

looked at her radiant face

the little troublemaker Henry was snuggled in his

enjoy sending your aunt packing?" Mia teased, nuzzling her son's

"Goo-gah," he gurgled back.

You've got quite the influence,"

with delight, responding

word. But, as a new

a habit ingrained by his wife's gentle nagging, and hung it up to avoid

hanging his coat, he inquired, "Where's Molly, Leo, and Anya? Why's the house so

cradling their son, answered, "Your son's cuteness drove them all out to

little one and kept

voice, Henry looked up at Mia with a bright

the bedside table, then approached to admire his son,

felt his son's warm, soft body in his