Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

In the evening, the three of them had dinner at the Irvin family's place. Henry had played at his grandpa's until late, and when night settled in, they drove back to Maplewood Estates-Mia had left her schoolbooks scattered all over the house and would need them the next day.

Annie, now moving more slowly as her pregnancy progressed, sometimes video called Mia just to check in on Henry. "Didn't Conner steal my chef? Why do you still look so skinny?" she'd tease.

Annie was getting ready to give birth in Newtown but wasn't impressed with Mr. Nettleton's kitchen crew there. She'd even made a trip to Havenbrook, and before leaving, she managed to snag the Cedillo family's private chef who specialized in cooking for expectant moms.

Meanwhile, Maja had spent some time in Bash. She slipped the neighbors some money, asking them to look after Dean for her.

"Maja, aren't you and Dean close? Your aunties are still waiting for your wedding invitation-why not just stay and take care of him?" a nosy neighbor joked.

Since then, Maja always wore a black glove on her hand. "Auntie, I have a husband. Dean's a good man-he saved me once, but he's just someone I owe a favor to. If you see any nice girls in the area, please keep an eye out and maybe set Dean up with one."

Maja clearly didn't want to linger. She wanted to leave, just like she always did- no goodbyes, no second thoughts. But this time, she hesitated, and couldn't help saying, "Dean's got a good heart-he never says no to anyone who needs help. Please look out for him, don't let him get dragged into things he shouldn't." She handed over some cash. "Take this, please. It's for helping Dean out. I can't stay any longer, so I'm counting on you and uncle to look after him."

She wasn't some storybook wanderer destined for a hidden paradise. That kind of happy ending was never meant for her.

cars pulled up outside

men stood, all in black

had saved her, sheltered her, let her finally sleep in

get in the car, Dean came out. "Maja,

said,

"Where

got into the car. With the window up, Dean couldn't see her, but she watched him for a moment longer. She'd said what needed to be said.

everything they'd been through, all those days and nights together- pretending there were no feelings

each other, why not just be together? You can tell Dean's head

just said,

one after another, and

didn't take long for

in the

and Maja were

after all. Dean had just helped rescue a rich