Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Colleen gently patted the child and said, "Hansen, Molly is your own flesh and blood. No trick can take her away from you."

Hansen wasn't in the mood for such platitudes.

Leo, standing nearby, listened intently to what the Byrnes were saying, as well as to Chad. He looked so serious, like he was soaking it all in.

Kendrick chimed in, "The kids have naturally gotten to this point. As parents, what can we do besides support them? I'm Molly's father too. At first, I was against it, just like you. I wanted to give Chad a piece of my mind. But... if I had hit Chad, Molly would've been upset." Hansen was blunt, "My girl wouldn't care."

"Dad, I would be a bit upset," Jade, freshly showered and changed, chimed in, her voice trailing off.

She moved decisively towards the Byrnes, as if planning to sit with them.

Naomi, noticing her father-in-law's brewing anger, cleared her throat to remind Molly. "Ahem! Hmm!"

But Jade continued her path unabated, heading straight for the Byrnes.

Hansen's face darkened like burnt toast!

Mia, however, wasn't nervous. She waited for her best friend's next move.

As expected, Molly walked over, not to sit, but to lift her nephew from Colleen's arms-the Cedillo family's little bundle of joy.

The chubby cherub, with bright, shiny eyes like glass marbles and tender, milk-scented cheeks, looked up at his beautiful aunt. He was quiet and content in her arms.

The little guy was something the Cedillo clan couldn't pry away for all the world.

Holding her nephew, Molly glanced at Chad, who smiled back, his lips slightly curling, as he reminded her, "Hold the kiddo tight."

Molly turned and sat down next to Hansen.

Hansen's charcoal face returned to its normal shade.

Mia knew her sister wouldn't be foolish enough to go against the Cedillos at such a crucial moment.

the little guy but had to maintain his stern facade. He resigned to just looking at his

were urging her to return home, or Mr. Calder would come to Havenbrook to fetch

Leo noticed. He stood up, taking Anya

her nephew: Your aunt's future is at stake,

with Mia, who was also looking at him: With Mia here, what's there to

blinked rapidly: I'm

observing their silent exchange, blinked in confusion: What's going

Hansen and said, "It's

and Molly was left in a

go, you all have a chat," Leo said,

Anya buckled up and asked, "Chad, what did you mean by

wanted me to stay and help her, I said Mia was there, Mia said she wasn't reliable, they wanted me to stay too. I saw your grandpa's face and figured today's

said just now? Did she have a

are we going?" Anya

Havenbrook so long, might as well

prime piece of Havenbrook real estate. Two decades ago, a rumor spread

Havenbrook and

while being a computer whiz, always glued to his

was particularly rebellious in high school, always gaming

after the resulting punishment, Leo sobered up and lost

the deleted Cedillo

Leo's car merged into the

busy road, said, "Chad, let's not buy anything else. I can

at her. "Why are you bringing so much stuff home for the holidays? Trying to lose weight by

I won't be living here." She felt a pang of reluctance to leave. "When my parents come next year, they can

lately, and my mom won't stop nagging. This time you go back, I'll drive you

saying you'll drive me there?" That was a

my mom. Taking you is just convenient. Don't flatter yourself thinking

Chad had gone out of his way just for her? Was