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.

his stern facade. He resigned to just looking

again-the Gordons were urging her to return home, or Mr. Calder would come to Havenbrook to fetch

at plane tickets when Leo noticed. He stood up, taking Anya with him, "Mom, Dad, Grandpa, I'm taking Anya out for

faces at her nephew: Your

was also looking at him: With Mia here, what's

blinked rapidly: I'm

their silent exchange, blinked

to Hansen and said,

and Molly

have a chat," Leo

asked, "Chad, what did you mean by 'iffy' just

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 talk wouldn't conclude well. Sounded too boring for me; today was just a start, so I said

back. Was all that said just now? Did she have a

we going?" Anya asked,

Havenbrook so long, might as well bring some local goodies," Leo

suburb, a prime piece of Havenbrook real estate. Two decades ago, a rumor spread that Havenbrook sat on a dragon

and was eventually forgotten, treated

this gossip in high school while being

son was particularly rebellious in high school, always gaming and sometimes not

after the resulting punishment, Leo sobered up and lost

he discovered the deleted Cedillo news and learned of the

Leo's car merged into

else. I can hardly manage two suitcases and

her. "Why are you bringing so much stuff home

Group development. Next year, I won't be living here." She felt a pang of reluctance to leave. "When my parents come next year, they can buy local products if they're interested. I can't manage it all

at home lately, and my mom won't stop nagging. This

are you saying you'll drive me there?" That

Anya, blunt as ever: "It's not about driving you, it's about escaping my mom. Taking you is just convenient. Don't flatter yourself thinking I'm making the trip

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