Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, "All cleaned up."

After hanging up the phone, Conner glanced at the clock, "All done for the day. So, what's next?"

Andre stood up, grabbing his suit jacket from the back of his chair, "Heading home. It's getting late, Mia and the kids are waiting. My boy just rolled over for the first time today." Conner stood up too, stretching his neck and feeling quite pleased with himself for the day's outcomes, "Mind if I hitch a ride? I'll come over tomorrow to see the little champ."

At some ungodly hour, when the moon shyly hid behind clouds and the earth was silent, Andre arrived home.

He quietly pushed open the bedroom door to find a warm, yellow nightlight left on for him, his wife and child snuggled together in bed. The little one, usually buzzing until midnight, had dozed off with tiny feet poking out from under the covers. Mia, too, was asleep, one arm wrapped around their son, a picture of maternal warmth.

Seeing them, Andre smiled. He quietly undressed and headed for a shower, inadvertently waking his waiting wife.

Rubbing her eyes, Mia adjusted their son into a more comfortable position and then followed Andre to the bathroom. "Did I wake you?" Andre asked, seeing his wife's sleepy awakening, endearing in her grogginess.

Mia yawned, "Honey, why are you home so late tonight?"

"Just swamped at work," Andre replied.

As Mia went to pick up her husband's dirty clothes, she noticed the strong scent of smoke on them. She didn't press the issue, though, instead checking his pockets before tossing the clothes into the laundry hamper.

While Andre showered, Mia chatted, "Our son rolled over today. Waited up for you till midnight, but his little eyes couldn't stay open any longer and he fell asleep in my arms."

After his shower, Andre joined his family in bed, lying beside his son, "Mia, I have to go abroad for work tomorrow. While I'm gone, stay here, don't go back to our place."

big and empty without

breaths evened out in

Conner came over, fussing over the little one and even

report of a burnt car

to the report and moved on, planning a trip to the bridal shop with Donnie for

recent case with some colleagues. "The victim had been beaten up, bones broken

first on the

morgue, as the medical examiner shared his findings, a new intern was overwhelmed by the sight and smell, rushing

at the

a brief visit. "Just passing by," he

pretense, knowing

away, Chad left unanswered questions behind, choosing not to call Andre, and returned to work as if

business," Mia and their son saw

despite nursing an injury, thanks

to reach Tom without success, worried about

son, Wesley, that

custody of a baby girl

identity secret for her safety and the potential fortune that awaited if the child was well cared-for. The letter hinted at a tangled web of deceit and danger, linking Jillian

lied to me!" Jillian slammed her fist onto the

cell phone and tried to

she was about to try again, a call came in from