Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Jack sat next to his wife, Emily, while Nick cozied up beside Grace. Lucy sat alone on the couch, her head down, wiping away her tears.

Harold's voice cut through the tension. "Alright, everyone's here. Let's get this out in the open."

Samantha felt like an outsider and was about to leave with little Oliver, not wanting to interrupt the adults' conversation. But Alex held her hand firmly, guiding her to sit beside him. "Stay put," he said gently. "Big brother Jack, I... I want to marry Dylan," Lucy managed between sobs.

Jack's brows furrowed instantly. "Absolutely not."

Nick, usually the easy-going one, showed his displeasure. "Lucy, I don't agree either," he said firmly.

The Smith men stood united, surprisingly over Lucy's situation.

Seeing his sons agree, Harold's anger subsided a bit. "Lucy, no one in this family agrees. If Dylan doesn't want to embarrass himself, he should just give up."

Grace finally spoke up, stating her position clearly. "Dad, Lucy's a grown woman. She's going to get married eventually, and Dylan..."

"I said no means no," Harold cut her off, raising his voice.

Even Mia, who usually had the highest regard in the household, stayed silent after Grace was reprimanded. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.

Jack glanced at his wife; he knew she was Lucy's closest confidant. Yet, she hadn't spoken up this time.

Perhaps Lucy could count on a sudden show of support from Grace, but surely she had not forgotten Mia's suggestions. Otherwise, how could Grace have so quickly accepted Lucy and Dylan's relationship? Anyone else would need time to ponder before offering support. Only after Mia's prompting would Lucy have realized who in the family could be swayed to her side.

Mia looked down at her son's sleeping face, aware of her husband's intense gaze. She didn't dare meet Jack's eyes, feeling intimidated.

unlikely ally in Alex. "Grandpa, if you're opposed, at least give us

reason do I need? Can't I just dislike Dylan?" Harold almost got into another argument

from the table. "Auntie,

Dylan are fine together. They're the ones getting married,

"One more word,

to the noisy atmosphere and started

baby back and forth to soothe

"I'm the father here, and I should have a say in

warned, "Just don't scare Samantha away

"I'm not scared,"

his prospective granddaughter-in-law and lowered his voice even

observing the mood in the room, cooed to her son. "Shh, sleepy time now, close your eyes, mommy's

you're too young.

younger than me

pacify the

at her sister's

didn't dare meet his gaze. Yet, she had the nerve to challenge Jack, the man everyone feared! Jack demanded, "Is your situation with

was a disgraceful forced

this isn't the time for

was furious, and Lucy didn't dare speak any

a precedent with Mia, skirted around the issue of age. "Lucy, I just don't think you and

the Byrnes is like returning to her own home. They share similar values, so there won't be any major differences in their fundamental beliefs. Furthermore, we all know the Byrnes very well; we're familiar with how they treat our Lucy. We won't have

was the Smith family