Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre scooped up the little munchkin, his voice playfully stern, "Daddy's off to work. Make sure you get some sleep at home, and no staying up all night like a little night owl, got it?" The little guy was already defying him, snuggling into Andre's chest, his yawns becoming more frequent as sleepiness took over.

Andre stroked his son's cheek, indulging him with a soft smile, "You can sleep in a bit in the morning."

The morning buzzed by, and Cooper's face popped up on a video call, "Where's my favorite little man?"

"Out like a light," Mia replied with a smirk.

Cooper signed off with a quick, "Later."

It wasn't long before Anya chimed in with a video invite, and an exhausted Jade called her BFF. Mia's status update followed soon after: 'The little one's asleep.'

With that, the calls mercifully ceased.

Come midday, Chad was notably absent from the team lunch.

Donnie knocked on the door, "Boss, I'm ordering takeout. What's your poison?"

"I'm heading back to the hotel. Molly's waiting for me there."

Donnie's response was a silent nod.

With only minutes to spare, Chad rushed back to the hotel to grab a quick bite with the girl.

He'd gone to bed late the night before, so he took the chance for a power nap at the hotel.

When he woke up, he found Jade curled up beside him, fast asleep.

As Chad left the room, he gently tucked her back into the covers, adjusting her position with the utmost care before slipping out quietly.

He made a beeline for Easton's office at the precinct. "Got any leads?"

ruffling his hair in frustration, "You're

"Who else

dad, your mom, Jiang City's finest, Andre,

Chad's face was unreadable.

colleague's dilemma, Chad decided

out of this. Everyone knows Molly's your sister. With her as a suspect, you can't be

at a technicality, "Legally, I'm

"The guesthouse is old; the wiring's a mess. Could've been an electrical fire. Plus, there were new kitchen gadgets for Coleen - all being examined. We're still waiting on

had turned up zilch. They

peek at the surveillance

all, Andre could do more than just apply pressure. He could "close a case" in ways Easton didn't want to

Easton's office, then called Andre

...

nightfall, Chad was still swamped with work at the precinct, making it late before he could

darkness deepened, Molly's calls grew more frantic.

Lights on,

"Please hurry."

Try to get

for you," Molly

just

help but notice the change in Officer Chad at the sound of a familiar voice on the phone - the

up, Chad swung by Easton's office one last

dropped by with a strong cup of joe for Easton. "Don't be too hard on Chad.

all watched over Molly like she was our little sister. But worry doesn't

the coroner left, Easton realized she never visited without

...

Chad was back

entered his room, now

from the shower, she lay in the