Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

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Molly watched Mia juggling her toddler and scrolling through her phone. She leaned over, her voice filled with concern, "Mia, maybe you should put the phone down for a bit."

"Why should I?" Mia chuckled, eyes still glued to the screen. "People are calling my husband a saint, saying Max is so cute they'd kidnap him if they could, and they're calling me beautiful. How can I not read this?" Mia knew what worried her friend. With a carefree shrug, she added, "The only thing that would bother me is if Max's pictures got out there. But they're all off the net now. What else is there to worry about?" Molly remembered how the online community had once falsely accused them, turning their whole town into a spectacle. Mia had been unbothered then too, even comforting Molly and her husband, Leo. Speaking of Leo, Molly suddenly realized someone was missing. "Hey, where's our Leo?"

Mia looked up from her phone. "Yeah, where is he?"

Back at the Cedillo household, young Leo waltzed in, twirling his keys on a keychain.

His mom, Naomi, was waiting for him, impatient and worried. As soon as she spotted him, she grabbed his arm. "Where have you been all day? Did you see the news?"

Leo almost tripped over from his mother's strong grip. "Of course, I saw it. I wouldn't miss such a big deal."

Breaking free, he complained, "I spent the afternoon in your cafe, going at it on two computers. My fingers are cramping from all the typing." He stretched out his hands for his mom to see, the very picture of a martyr. Naomi looked at her son with a mix of exasperation and disbelief. "How did I ever end up with someone like you?"

The room was heated, and Molly and Anya watched in disbelief. Online feuds were a thing for them, but Naomi found herself torn between pride and concern.

Leo sheepishly withdrew his hands. "You only got me, Mom, and you're not having any more kids."

As Naomi raised her hand to smack her cheeky son, he nimbly dodged her, his height and long legs to his advantage.

"Why'd you even come back?" Naomi was at her wit's end.

Leo, ever the provocateur, answered simply, "I came back for dinner."

made

Bruce, Leo's dad, walked in from work. He was a quiet man but, upon seeing his son upsetting his wife, he gave Leo a surprise slap on the

was stunned. "Dad, sneak attacks are not the way

at his successful intervention. "Gentleman? You're in your twenties and still

at her husband's

and Molly, coming downstairs, witnessed the family's dynamic. Mia mused, "If in twenty years, Andre, Henry, and I can still get

the obvious. "Naomi's family squabbles are cute,

had just woken up and was yawning

isn't the point. With genetics like his, I

Mia fell silent.

around, and Andre joined them from

to Aunt Naomi, and finally to his grandpa. When Andre came down, he smoothly took his son back, familiar and wordless. Henry, back in his dad's arms, kicked and waved his

couldn't eat, had his

couldn't resist teasing, "Jade's rocking

eyes narrowed on his daughter's hand. "What's

"Leo, are you tired of the good things in life

"I'll never understand you

Mia fired back, "Brave words. Let's see if you stick to them when it's time to get something for

off the taunt. "Anya's above these things... Wait, who said I'm getting

him further, "Please, she wouldn't care less if you didn't. But did you know Anya has a new guy

but he quickly resumed his casual demeanor, though his heart wasn't as light. "That's impossible. Anya barely has girl friends, let alone a guy. You're overestimating her."

Leo's curiosity waned. "Oh."

was unsatisfied with his reaction and pushed further, "Just