Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Hannah had her own take on things. "Sweetie, you need to learn to spend some money. Andre's out there busting his butt, and his paycheck's got your name on it. If you don't spend, what's his motivation? And Mia, you too-shop smart, not hard. Why tire yourself out at

the mall when you can just click a few buttons and have everything delivered?"

Mia wasn't one to just go with the flow. Sitting next to her husband, she pointed to their little bundle of joy in his arms. "I need to be careful with our money, babe. Raising a kid isn't cheap. This little rascal's already gone through a ton of diapers-and they cost a fortune!" Henry, the diaper-wearing culprit, let out a babyish "Ahem, umm."

Andre looked down at his son with a gentle smile. "Hear that? Your mama's talking about you."

The little one gazed up at Andre, grunting with effort.

Fatherhood had clearly softened Andre-a change everyone could see and feel.

Around eight in the evening, Chad got back to his hotel room. He opened the door to find that Molly was gone.

The water bottle on the table was empty. He chuckled and walked to the bathroom, where a used toothbrush was left haphazardly.

Chad picked up the toothbrush, smirking coldly. "So repulsed, huh?"

Molly got a call from Chad while the Cedillo family was having a cozy evening. They were lounging in the living room, watching TV, playing games, and chatting.

The Cedillo household was a picture of warmth. Mia and Naomi were deep in conversation about parenting, while Hansen teamed up with Molly for a game, urging his daughter to lead him to victory. Anya, crouched on the floor, was idly carving art into orange peels, turning a simple snack into a masterpiece.

Leo occasionally glanced her way, careful not to disturb her. He joined in on a conversation with his dad and uncle, while Henry, lying in the middle of the living room, would occasionally stir and whimper until Mia picked him up.

Everyone was busy, and Chad's call made Jade's heart skip a beat.

"Hang up, hang up, we're about to win," Hansen urged.

and continued guiding her dad to gaming

the living room provided background noise as

restroom, handing the baby to Andre. Henry settled back into his father's arms, lulled by

when

to Leo, who ended up with a

unanswered, Chad didn't bother to

one seemed ready for bed. Anya, done with her orange

Chad lay in the bed Molly had slept in the night before. The room was dim and quiet. His arm was raised, head resting on his bicep, eyes fixed on the ceiling, a smile playing on his

sat down to eat, the little one woke up with no food and started crying.

with him, not

over, Andre insisted she

playing a lullaby, the soft melody

finished her snack and went over to Andre. "Uncle, I'm done eating. Let me hold the baby

studying hard and hasn't had a chance to hold Henry. She's really

son

the unfamiliar face

nervous but determined, patted his back and walked around with him until his whimpers

next to Leo, whispering excitedly, "Chad,

but then noticed something off about her best friend. Normally, Henry would barely stay in her arms when she got home, but today she seemed quiet, not even fussing to hold Henry. Mia's eyes briefly caught the turtleneck sweater

to sleep, and the baby

Chad's missed calls. She hesitated, then withdrew her hand from the phone. "If he wanted something

the bedroom, Andre went to shower, and Mia began

did, the little one's

and son

your eyes, go to