The flicker of Andre's annoyance barely had a chance to smolder before it fizzled out. He was about to walk away, but something clung tightly to his leg, halting him

in place.

Earlier, Henry's mom had given him simple instructions: "When your dad comes home, grab his leg and say, 'I love you, Daddy." But Henry only processed the first half. As soon as Dad appeared, Henry's chubby little arms wrapped around his father's leg, his cherubic face pressed right up against Andre's crisp suit pants.

Everything was picture perfect-until Andre glanced down and asked his

youngest son, "What are you doing?"

"Angry with Daddy-" Henry piped up.

Andre just stared, then looked helplessly at his wife.

Mia shook her head, cheeks puffed out in exasperation. "Honey, that's not what I taught him. I told him to say 'I love Daddy.""

Andre bent down, grabbed Henry by the collar of his hoodie, and hoisted him up like a sack of potatoes. Henry's head lolled back, feet swinging in the air, completely unfazed by yet another lift-off.

Mia had seen it all before. She just slipped her hands from Andre's arm, folded them behind her back, and watched, making no move to rescue their little troublemaker.

agape. Even the neighbors peeking in through

really how Andre disciplines his

he was set down and fixed with a stern look. "Are you mad at

family's little rebel, didn't hesitate:

beat. He spun around, grabbed Henry by the back of his sweatshirt like he was toting

in. Grandpa Hansen, leaning on his cane and stooped with curiosity, shuffled over. "Mia, why

"Sacrifice his little butt to save us both. Would you

his

from upstairs. Even when Andre disciplined him, he did it with Henry in his arms, giving his

spent all night out having fun, and now you don't even

up his tiny fist and gave his dad a punch

only grew louder. Clearly, Mom's pep talk

on Chad's arm in their kitchen, while their son Wayne curled up contentedly in

breeze," Chad replied. "It's the people

Who's got you so worn out?

detectives around, you

"Trying

Dragon Queen? Chad, let me know if you find

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

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