Molly blinked in disbelief, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "So the only reason you married me was to sleep with me?" "Yep."

Usually thick-skinned, Molly found herself outmatched by Chad, of all people. How did he manage to outdo her in audacity?

"Oh, please! Dream on, buddy," Molly retorted, her cheeks flushing a telltale crimson. Lately, she didn't know what was up with her. Every time she faced Chad, her verbal sparring took a nosedive, as if she'd met her match. After their spat, Molly, unashamed, asked, "So, Chad, when do you get off work?"

"Why?"

"Well, it's almost Christmas, and I haven't gotten a new dress yet," she hinted.

Chad flushed with embarrassment. "Didn't you just...?"

Catching the disapproving glare from Molly's sparkling eyes, he quickly corrected himself. "I'm off at six, just wait for me on the couch."

Just the other day, Molly had splurged on new clothes, and here she was, craving a Christmas outfit already.

The enigma of a woman's desire to shop was something Chad still found baffling.

Come afternoon, Chad took Molly's hand as they left the station.

Behind them, Donnie started his teasing, "There she goes, there she goes, off with the captain's credit card."

Old Cody chuckled. "Donnie, give up the badge, man. The local comedy club is hiring. You've got talent; maybe it's time for a career switch."

Donnie packed up his desk, ready to call it a day, and joked, "If I switch, my old man would kill me."

Chad thought Molly would go for another dress or the latest designer bag, but at the mall, she dragged him straight to the men's section.

He looked at her in surprise. "Who's this for?"

"For the dog."

Molly's waist got another playful slap from Chad as he teased, "Say that again!"

muttered, "For

thrilled. All his

was the one footing the bill, he was charmed by her

time, the roles reversed. Now she watched him try on clothes, giving approving nods or decisive headshakes. Fortunately, since Molly had once shopped with

keen eye, a nearby salesperson complimented them.

"Chad" and "bro," she naturally assumed

"Oh, fiancés! Congratulations!"

of the store got

announce his upcoming

you siblings?" everyone

clarified, "My last name's Sullivan, hers is Jiang. We were like siblings before, but we'll be

time it took to try on a few outfits, her wedding date

to take her to a new

for clothes,

was still over

me. How did you feel before you got married?" Mia replied, "You're asking me? Before I got married, I dragged you out to rant about Andre

joined her

feel nothing. Could it be that I

family, and marrying into it feels like going back home. Maybe the wedding's just a formality to you?" The thought

to call off the

sat cross-legged on her bed, utterly

knocking came at her door, followed by

a word, Mia opened the door to find her husband

guy, and his cries slowly

night deepened, the baby became fussier, only quieting down with

mama's boy, sometimes he needed

find only his mother

her son

upon Havenbrook, blanketed in a fresh layer

"Good Fortune" signs were up, the snow at the doorstep

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

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