Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Molly had spent the whole afternoon in Chad's office, not even bothering to check her phone. She was trying to wear him down, hoping to convince him to give up whatever he was so stubbornly working on.

By evening, she saw how swamped Chad was. It was way past dinner time, and neither Chad nor his team had eaten. Feeling a pang of sympathy, she decided to do something nice. She went out, bought dinner for the entire police squad, and dropped it off at the station before heading home. When Chad finally finished his case and looked around for Molly, he realized she had already left.

Back at the Cedillo residence, Mia was waiting at the door with a knowing look. "Back from your little stroll?" she asked.

Molly met her gaze, feeling as if Mia could see right through her.

"Mia-"

Mia glanced at Molly's outfit and teased, "Do you want to spill the beans, or should I?"

Molly hesitated, wondering if she should confide in her best friend. Maybe Mia could help her out of this mess.

"Let's go to my bedroom."

Mia followed Molly upstairs. Once inside, Molly sat on the edge of the bed while Mia, still in her pajamas, sat beside her. Mia reached out to touch Molly's neck but stopped at the collar of Molly's turtleneck. Molly's cheeks turned red as she closed her eyes. Mia paused and asked respectfully, "Can I see?"

Molly didn't say a word, but Mia understood. She gently pulled the collar aside, revealing faint marks. These were all too familiar to Mia.

Shocked but composed, Mia looked at Molly's blushing face and withdrew her hand.

"Talk to me," she said softly.

Molly hesitated before blurting out, "Do you have any idea who could've left these... marks?"

"Chad," Mia replied without missing a beat.

Molly was silent.

Chad around, you wouldn't have a chance

seemed everyone knew that with Chad around,

you

"Don't

breath. "Chad and I... we slept

boasted about being prepared, now gaped in shock.

what you think. We didn't... you know. It was just... he saw me undressed, and he told everyone we had been intimate, implied it had been going on for a while. But in

so-called preparation was limited to the idea that her friend had finally found someone, perhaps secretly dating Chad. But she never imagined that

disbelieving reaction, Molly realized what it would mean to come clean to

didn't go that far. It's all a lie, and no one believes me when I try

lied, without evidence, Coleen and Uncle Sub wouldn't just take his word for

stole a kiss from him, my first bold move, and sent it to Vivian just to tick her off. And that night, it really happened..." Molly was too embarrassed to continue. "Of course, I wasn't dressed properly, and Chad ended up

"Where?"

saw the birthmark below my collarbone and used it to deceive my parents, and they believed

so shocked she forgot to blink.

recent days, her head hung low.

words. "Molly, level with me. Do

bit her lip. "I

understood her friend's intentions. "Then... maybe you should just

only confide in Mia. "How can I bring it

"Don't be

the sisters talked until

fear of Andre was palpable. "Mia, can you help

tell you straight, my husband is a stickler for propriety. Even though he adores me, if he disagrees with something, a hundred words from me won't make a difference." Molly felt disheartened, but Mia reassured her. "Don't