Leo only discovered the true reason behind the Byrne family's visit from Anya and Jade later on.

"They didn't come to propose."

Leo explained, "No one proposes with such meager gifts, and certainly not without giving us a heads-up first."

Anya gazed at Leo with admiration, "Chad, how do you know all this?"

Jade quipped, "He's just doing his homework for when he has to woo his sweetheart."

"Woo who?" a clueless Anya asked again.

A brief, tense silence fell over the room.

Anya seemed to catch on, disbelief mixing with realization. She looked at Leo, who was already looking back at her.

Anya felt like her heart could stop right then and there!

Leo's intense gaze briefly met hers before he turned to Molly, "You're all talk, Jade. Why did you clam up when Chad was supposed to pop the question?"

Jade found her outlet for frustration, "Like it was easy to hold back? I had a ton to say, but Mia's hubby gave me one look, and I couldn't even whisper a punctuation mark."

All eyes shifted to Mia, who was cradling her baby.

"Don't look at me. I handle the finances at home, but all the big decisions are in my baby's dad's hands."

The baby, now well-fed, joined the conversation with a "goo and gah."

"See, even my one-month-old gets it," Mia said, gesturing with her bundle of joy.

Leo, with mock disgust, "Mia, you're always so tough. How come you roll over when my uncle's around?"

Mia shot back, "And you're supposed to be tough as nails. How come you bolt when your uncle lifts a finger?" Leo: ""

Anya watched the three bicker, chide, advise, and solve each other's problems, a sense of envy in her smile.

"Auntie Jade, Auntie Molly, Chad, you guys have such a great bond."

felt no such exclusion with them. She had experienced the warmth and affection of her fiery-tempered aunt

me, getting Grandpa's approval is the

do you handle our

you think is our two old

the room

on the Cedillo

shopping and gaming, preoccupied with thoughts of his

left that day, his group of young

four think I've lived too long, coming

Hansen was straightforward.

they replied, "We're

skeptical:

...

and returned to find his son gazing

burrito wrapped up

leave you with dad

guy turned his head,

son with one arm and headed to the bathroom, gently wiping his son's face with

let's see what features you got from me," Andre

son regarded

a long moment, Andre spoke, "You're chubbier

Henry: "..."

Back in Hansen's bedroom.

Mia accused, gripping Hansen's arm. "You promised, the winner gets to pick a truth or dare." "You let me win on purpose, that doesn't

he played a "3," none of them took it-clearly,

dare,

take the

"Let's see who can jump further. I can make 2.1 meters. Loser does

Hansen: "...I'll take truth."

three

it was a

out, Anya entered with a plate of her magical pasta

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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