Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 536

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The night was rough for both sisters. One wrestled with her thoughts, the other suffered physically. Sleep finally found them well past midnight.

Andre had recently rekindled the passion of his newlywed days, casting aside all restraint, and his mood had lifted remarkably. Nights were filled with joy, and his workdays were bright.

Mia's sleep routine was completely turned on its head. She'd sleep till midday, and by night, sleep was a distant memory. Her little one followed suit, mimicking her topsy-turvy schedule. Mia had wanted to instill the habit of a good night's sleep in her son, but ended up leading him astray.

Mother and son shared their slumbers in the mornings. The worst was when Mia woke up one afternoon, well past two.

Anya, who had been clueless, had an epiphany about her aunt's late mornings and stopped her pointless trips upstairs to check on the baby. Meanwhile, Molly began waking up at the crack of dawn, hovering around Hansen's bedroom door. She'd often ask, "Dad, feeling good today?"

"Not even close."

Molly would just sigh.

Leo, with years of camaraderie with his aunt and uncle, could tell something was off with Molly lately.

Waking up that day, Mia yawned, and her child followed suit. Their synchronized yawning made Naomi chuckle, "My Henry is just too adorable, even when he yawns. Let Auntie Naomi hold my precious boy."

Naomi quickly whisked Henry away, leaving Mia to herself. Ever since Henry's arrival, Naomi couldn't stand Leo's habit of spitting seeds around the house. She urged him to help Andre at the office, but Leo kept dodging the task. Whenever Naomi brought it up, Leo would escape with Anya in tow. Now, little Henry was the only one who couldn't do any wrong in Naomi's eyes.

Watching his mom coddle the baby, Leo sat next to Mia, "Don't you think Jade's been acting weird lately?"

Mia glanced at Molly's neck, "How long has Molly been wearing that turtleneck?"

Leo frowned, not one to keep tabs on Molly's wardrobe. Just then, observant Anya chimed in, "Auntie's been back five days, and she's worn it every day." Girls notice these things.

Mia and Leo exchanged looks, "With Jade's fickle nature, how long does she usually stick to a sweater?"

"Two days, tops. If she wears one for three, there's only one explanation: it's expensive!"

Mia nodded, and Anya scrutinized Molly's clothes. "But Auntie's sweater isn't a designer label or a limited edition."

"Then something's up," Mia murmured.

Molly sat curled up on the couch, habitually clutching her turtleneck. She was oblivious to the trio's intense gazes.

Later that afternoon, Mia's child was once again spirited away-only brought back for nursing when he cried. Leo had become proficient at changing diapers, even earning Andre's praise.

Molly, however, didn't join the baby-snatching. Instead, she changed her clothes and prepared to leave. Mia called out, "Molly, where are you off to?"

"Just going for a stroll," Molly replied, pulling on her boots.

Mia arched an eyebrow, "Don't be out too long."

Once Molly left, Leo, with the baby in his arms and Anya by his side, approached Mia, "I'm telling you, something's up. She's either off to see Chad at the precinct or at the Byrnes' place." "What about Vivian?" Mia asked.

Leo nodded, "Uncle's been in a good mood lately, almost forgetting about Vivian."

Hearing that her husband was in good spirits made Mia grit her teeth. His good mood came at the cost of her well-being!

...

The cab dropped Molly off at the precinct, where she hesitated at the entrance. Even the doorman recognized her, "Molly, here for Officer Chad? He just got back on duty. Go on in." Molly thanked him and walked into the familiar police station. She made her way to Chad's workspace, greeted by familiar faces.

Donnie teased, "Look who's here, the princess herself. Been a while, hasn't it?"

""Where's Chad?" Molly asked.

"Trouble in paradise? Not calling him 'brother' today?" Donnie mused.

Molly's expression indeed looked stormy. Donnie pointed towards the office, "He's next door with Easton, who's stressing out big time."

Molly waited in Chad's office, and soon enough he returned, clearly not bearing good news.

A colleague hinted, "Captain, your little tyrant's here, seems like she's ready for a fight."

"Where's Molly?"

"In your office, not calling you 'brother' this time," Donnie informed him.

Chad's mood lifted at the thought. "Got it."

Upon entering and seeing Molly waiting, she stood up to help him lock the door, ensuring privacy. Exhaling, Molly spoke, "Bro, maybe it's time we come clean?"

Her bravado from the Byrne confrontation had wilted back in the Cedillo household.

"No way," Chad was firm.

He wouldn't start over when seventy percent of his path to success was behind him.

Molly struggled with confessing to the Cedillos about her and Chad, but it was a bombshell she couldn't drop.

"Can't face the Cedillos?" Chad knew the answer but asked anyway.

Molly nodded, her voice softening with a hint of coquetry, "Bro, I really can't bring myself to say it. I've rehearsed it a thousand times in my head, but I can just picture it. The moment the words leave my mouth, Dad and my brothers could go ballistic."

"That's why I should be the one to break the news. I'll handle it, and in the meantime, you can take refuge at the Byrnes'. Once I've sorted things out with the Cedillos, you can come back and own up to our relationship," Chad explained.

He had been avoiding the Cedillo household recently because the holiday season was approaching. Even con artists took a break for the holidays, but that didn't stop them from scheming new ways to swindle money. Between the text message scams alone, he had been called in on seven cases. Then there were the elderly getting conned, students trapped in predatory loans... He was swamped, and the lack of evidence in Vivian's case, paired with a fresh homicide in Easton, had him stretched thin.

"No, it won't work. If you go alone, you wouldn't stand a chance against Andre on your own," Molly shook her head.

"I'm going to ask for your hand, not start a brawl," Chad replied with a half-smile.