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?"

hair in frustration, "You're the sixth person

squinted, "Who

mom, Jiang City's finest, Andre, Hansen, and now

Chad's face was unreadable.

his colleague's dilemma, Chad decided to lend

knows Molly's your sister. With her as a suspect, you

at a technicality, "Legally, I'm not

over the evidence. "The guesthouse is old; the wiring's a mess. Could've been an electrical fire. Plus, there were new

they were awake, but door-to-door inquiries had turned up zilch.

requested a peek at the

from above, gave in. After all, Andre could do more than just apply pressure.

hours in Easton's

...

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

deepened, Molly's calls grew more frantic. "Bro, you

consoled her, "I'll be there. Lights on, doors locked. I've got

"Please hurry."

will. Try to

wait for

smile was just a

couldn't help but notice the change in Officer Chad at the sound of a familiar voice on the phone - the affection in his eyes said

swung by Easton's office one last time before

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

get it. We've all watched over Molly like she was our little sister. But worry doesn't speed things

she never visited without reason, but she

...

Chad was back at

entered his room, now commandeered by

shower, she lay in the hotel robe,