Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Juliana's eyes widened in shock. "Settling down?"

"Yeah," Coleen replied with a nod. "Dave's not getting any younger. It's time we started thinking about his future."

Juliana was barely making ends meet, her days a juggle of bills and worry. The last thing on her mind was playing matchmaker.

Coleen sat in the backyard, her laughter mingling with the chatter of the neighbors.

Vivian watched from a distance, her brows knitted in confusion. What could Juliana possibly have to discuss with her that was so amusing?

Clutching a throw blanket, Vivian stepped outside to join Coleen, curious to catch the drift of her conversation.

"Has Dave met anyone decent at college?" Coleen inquired.

After a moment of reflection, she sighed. "Not really. But no regrets. If it's not someone from school, we'll just have to take matters into our own hands. You know, Vivian's been quite the gem. She's been taking care of me at Havenbrook with such dedication and skill. She's got a good head on her shoulders, knows her way around the kitchen, and has a heart of gold. She's been like a daughter to you all these years, right? That's got to count for something.

Plus, she and Dave grew up together, thick as thieves.

Our own kids? Molly wouldn't give the time of day to anyone but her dear Chad."

Overhearing this, Vivian's eyes bulged with shock. Staring at Coleen's back, her grip on the throw blanket tightened, her teeth clenched.

Juliana questioned, "Coleen, if Vivian is so wonderful, why not set her up with Chad? If your foster daughter married into the Byrne family, with your health not allowing you to work much longer, she'd be the one calling the shots soon. Wouldn't that mean better days ahead for me?""

Coleen offered a wistful smile before replying, "Dear sister, Chad isn't as lucky as Dave to have someone like that in his life. Plus, Chad's girl... let's just say she's not exactly a catch. She's never so much as washed a dish; she expects dinner served on a silver platter. She has a temper, no skills to speak of, just a knack for whining. Spends Chad's money like water; it's always about her.

It drives me, and my husband, up the wall. Imagine having a daughter-in-law like that. It's enough to give you an ulcer.

You don't know

disdain for her "daughter-in-law" and envy for Juliana's

Indeed, life would be unbearable with such a person in the family.

considering Coleen's words, the

would you find that kind of cash? But with Vivian, you wouldn't have to worry about any of that."

match Vivian with Saul, creating a mess of things. On reflection, Coleen dismissed the idea as petty - not worth ruining two lives over. Besides, Vivian was no pushover,

wasn't about to invite trouble for her

daughter down and remain in Havenbrook like a

morning advice, "Don't dirty your hands; drag her

suggested - keep her hands clean and have someone

way than to use someone she equally despised to handle the

her daughter's angry words, Coleen hatched

instincts told her

like dogs over a bone,"

going to head inside before the chill gets to me,"

could you... return the house to me? We have no savings. If we can't go back, we'll have to return to our hometown." Coleen fell silent, her mind racing. Her daughter, impulsive as she

leaving them homeless and exposed to the

her son, who never dirtied his hands, would think of something so

an investigation, let them investigate. I can't interfere. But... Vivian seems pretty well-off." After hanging up the phone, Coleen stood, facing Vivian, whose

presence overpowering, making Vivian seem insignificant as an ant beneath

of Vivian's dark thoughts

why are you

She chuckled lightly, "Why did you try