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 how

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

such a person in the family. Seizing the moment, Coleen

Juliana had been hesitant before, considering Coleen's words, the

a daughter costs a fortune. Dowry money, down payment for a house, a car, jewelry - it all adds up to a hefty sum. Where would you find that kind of cash? But with Vivian,

not worth ruining two lives over. Besides, Vivian was no

invite

to drag her daughter down and remain

son's morning advice, "Don't dirty your hands;

on her; she could do as her son suggested - keep her hands clean and have

way than to use someone she equally

angry words, Coleen hatched

told her

them fight like dogs

my words some thought. I'm going to head inside before the chill gets to

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 was, would have simply sent thugs to

hadn't considered eviction, leaving them homeless and exposed to

never dirtied his hands, would

Vivian seems pretty well-off." After hanging up the phone, Coleen stood, facing Vivian, whose eyes were filled

smiled serenely, her presence overpowering, making Vivian seem insignificant

of Vivian's dark thoughts couldn't escape

are you doing this

loathed her. She chuckled lightly, "Why did you try to harm