Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 456

Chad always prided himself on being a grounded man, keeping his cool even when Molly poured out her sweet nothings. But that changed at the mall parking lot. He was staring at a trunk full of shopping bags. The phrase "I love you" had never seemed so expensive. "Did you have to buy so much? You can't possibly wear all of these even if you change new one every day," Chad muttered, reorganizing the trunk.

Meanwhile, Molly hopped cheerfully into the passenger seat. "Well, I've spent nearly a grand of your money, and it's not like I'm losing out," she declared.

Chad then had to drive her out to dinner, realizing he wasn't just there to accompany her on her shopping spree but also foot the bill. And it seemed that wasn't enough. He was also expected to help her choose her outfit for the first day of school. Fed up, Chad pushed Molly out of his room, slammed the door shut, and locked it.

"Did he just... kick me out?" Molly muttered to herself, pouting as she retreated to her room.

Not too long after, Chad's phone rang with a video call from Molly. "I can't believe this!" he thought.

Whenever she was not around, she was all he could think about. But when they were together, she was like a nightmare he couldn't escape. Even in his dreams, he could hear her calling for him, "Chad, Chad, Chad..." "Chad?"

"Chad."

"Please, Chad, help me out since mom's not home..."

Just then, Molly started calling for him again from the other side of the door.

Furious, Chad stormed into her room, grabbed a random dress, and threw it at her face. "Wear this!" he growled.

Finally, Molly realized she had gone too far and decided to keep a low profile.

At dinner, she didn't dare to sit next to Chad. Even their mother Coleen was surprised. "What happened? Why isn't the 'puppy' following the 'bone' around?"

Molly looked down, muttering, "The 'bone' probably found a new 'puppy'."

Suddenly, there was a loud bang. It was the sound of Chad slamming his hand on the table. The entire Byrne family living room fell silent, and even Molly, who was usually fearless, shivered in fear. Coleen jumped, and her husband, Kendrick, quickly pulled her into his arms.

"Molly, repeat what you just said."

Molly, now the center of attention, whispered, "I upset Chad today. I'm afraid he might punish me with sit-ups."

Kendrick, oblivious to Molly's antics, was more concerned about his wife. "Molly was just trying to spend more time with you. Was that reason enough for such a tantrum? Look, you scared your mother." "Exactly, you scared mom," Molly chimed in.

Chad was seething but couldn't let it out.

Molly noticed Chad's face turning red and didn't dare to say another word. After all, he would be her ride to school the next day.

After dinner, Molly made herself scarce.

The following morning, on the way to drop Molly off at school, she didn't dare to utter a word. Chad kept reminding himself, "Patience brings peace. A step back brings silence."

"Chad..."

"Shut up!"

Molly bit her lower lip, struggling to hold back.

"Chad..."

"Don't speak to me for the rest of the day."

"Chad, I need to use the restroom. I can't hold it in any longer," Molly blurted out.

Seeing Chad clench his fists in frustration, Molly realized she had pushed him too far. She could barely wake up in the morning, let alone get ready for school. The family had been trying to wake her up since seven, but it wasn't until eight that she finally stirred. With school starting at nine and the door to her room still locked, Chad couldn't hold back. "Molly, if you don't come out in the next ten minutes, I'm leaving for work," he threatened.

Fearing the consequences, Molly hurriedly got up. "Chad, I'm sorry."

"Chad, just give me ten more minutes. No, five."

"Chad, I'll be ready soon. Can you help me with my bag?" When Molly saw Chad pick up a brown bag, she quickly waved her hands. "No, the red crossbody bag."

Feeling the tension in the air, Molly applied her lipstick in the car and decided to spray some perfume. "If you dare spray that, get out of the car," Chad warned.

She quietly withdrew her hand, sneaking a few sprays on her skirt to keep herself smelling fresh.

Chad clenched his fists, holding back his frustration.

"I was in such a rush this morning, so I forgot to use the bathroom. And grandma gave me a cup of milk before I left, and I drank."

Chad sighed deeply. No matter how hard he clenched his fists, he couldn't bring himself to retaliate.

He pulled over at a public restroom. Molly ran out of the car, clearly desperate. After a few minutes, Molly returned to the car and quietly took out her perfume again. She glanced at Chad, checking if he had noticed her sneaky actions. Seeing his tense expression, she snuck in a couple more sprays.

The silence in the car was broken by the sound of the perfume spray. Chad told himself, "I'm deaf. I can't hear. I have a cold. I can't smell."

Finally, he dropped Molly off at school.

Up ahead, Leo and Mia were already waiting. Andre was there too. Chad walked over to Andre, wishing he could sit down and ask him how he coped when his wife upset him.

Mia looked enviously at the beautiful, slim, and fragrant Molly, then at her tall, handsome, and fit nephew. "Soon, I'll be the only one left at home, all ugly and fat. How boring."

"But isn't this what you wanted?" Leo retorted. "You get to stay at home and be treated like a queen while we go to school and tire ourselves out."

Molly, feeling neglected in the Byrne family, decided to switch sides. "Mia, Leo, I'm thinking of going back home tonight."

"Are you going back to annoy Mia?" Chad asked loudly.

Molly didn't dare to talk back.

Despite his frustration, Chad still wanted to see his sister every day.

Mia's curiosity was piqued. "What? Annoy me? What happened, Molly?"

Andre's curiosity was piqued too. "What's going on with Molly at the Byrne's?"

Chad shook his head. "It's a long story."

Mia turned to her best friend. Her eyes were wide with surprise. "Wow, Molly, you've become such a big deal, huh? Can't even sum up your feats in a few sentences." Molly merely replied with a sheepish grin, "Keep it down, will you?"

Andre and Chad exchanged looks. There was a silent understanding passing between them.

Leo was there too, feeling out of place among the couples. He was the odd one out, the lone ranger, the single guy at a party full of couples. Without another word, he turned on his heel and disappeared.