Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 581

Chad paused for a second, then his face lit up with realization. "Yeah, you're right."

"Let's go with the 'Endless Bloom.' The color's perfect, the fabric's satin, and the embroidery is way more intricate than the rest," Chad suggested earnestly, not just paying lip service.

Molly took a sip of her bubble tea, placed the cup on the table, and ticked off an item on her checklist. Chad grabbed her drink and tried a sip through her straw, tasting the sugar-free concoction.

Molly turned to him with a questioning look. "Does it taste like there's zero sweetness to you?"

Chad replied with a half-smile, "Sweet enough to give you a toothache."

Molly stuck her tongue out at him playfully. "I'd take the pain."

Chad took her drink and held it to her lips, feeding her a sip. "So, what? You gonna roll on the floor in agony, swearing off sugar for life to me, Chad?"

Molly took a gulp, her cheeks puffing out guiltily, avoiding a reply.

Chad's teasing hit home. Not that Molly couldn't dish it back, but he was describing a scenario all too familiar from her past.

After lunch, Molly couldn't drink anymore. Not wanting to waste it or carry it around, she handed it over to Chad. "Bro, I can't drink anymore."

Chad took the cup, holding her hand as he finished the drink for her before letting go and tossing the trash. He then continued, one hand holding their morning's spoils, the other ushering Molly into a home decor store to purchase the two sets they'd decided on, plus an extra flowery four-piece set for Grandma Byrne.

In the afternoon, Molly set out to shop for other things.

Thankfully, fashionista Molly had the stamina for shopping, leaving her with plenty of time to continue until the evening.

Chad made several trips back to the car to drop off bags; if he hadn't accompanied Molly today, leaving her and Anya to fend for themselves would have been unthinkable.

By afternoon, they hit a wedding store, with Molly's list guiding them on a treasure hunt for red envelopes, balloons, favor boxes, candlesticks, and decorative "Double Happiness" characters.

Even as the day wore on, Molly didn't let her fatigue show.

"Chad, let's skip buying the lingerie, okay?" Molly glanced at her list, a hint of shyness in her voice. "Maybe just socks and pajamas for you. You can buy the rest on your own."

Chad simply smiled, not pressing the issue. "Sure."

On the way home, Molly had Chad drop her off at the Cedillo residence to deliver something before heading back to the Byrne place.

Arriving at the Cedillo's, Molly, carrying only a small elegant bag, practically collapsed, abandoning any pretense of poise. "Dad, I'm absolutely wiped."

Her father Hansen's phone still echoed with the sounds of a card game, his focus on securing the role of "landlord."

The victorious dad finally paid attention to the world around him. "Huh? What did you say?"

Molly: "..."

Chad entered, arms full of bags, and the butler swiftly directed the staff to assist with the load.

Once home, Molly flopped onto the couch, causing the little one who was practicing sitting up to suddenly gaze at his unusually disheveled aunt.

Mia lifted her son, coaxing her sister, "Tired much?"

"A mall marathon. What do you think?"

Mia brought the baby's face close to Molly's. "Give your auntie a smooch for some comfort."

The little guy turned his head away, brushing his cheek against hers, which Molly absolutely adored.

Mia teased, "Oh, not up for a kiss? Then let's not."

Molly: "..."

Anya had been rambling to Leo, who had spent his day shadowing Andre at the office and his evenings enduring Anya's non-stop chatter. Mia remarked, "Anya, cherish him. Finding someone patient enough to listen to you ramble is rare. Marry that man." Anya blushed, covering her mouth, then timidly asked Chad, "Is what I say really just nonsense?"

Leo quipped, "It's incomplete nonsense."

Anya didn't catch his meaning.

Mia did but kept it to herself.

When Leo got home and saw Molly sprawled out, he greeted her with a tease. "Oh, look who's here." Molly: "..."

Upon seeing Chad again, Anya called him "Uncle" to his face. "Uncle Chad, congrats on your wedding." Her words always struck a chord with Chad. "Thanks, Anya."

Chad lifted his future plump nephew Henry, who seemed to enjoy being in his uncle's arms, making no fuss.

Soon after, Naomi appeared, busy as ever. "Molly, what did you buy today? There's so much!"

"Bedding and a bunch of little things."

Mia handed Henry to Chad and took Molly to her room to show Naomi the bedding.

The three women gathered in the bedroom, Naomi lamenting, "I was going to buy you bedding, but you've already done it. I've been preparing your dowry and blankets; Mom left you quite a lot."

Mia spread a vibrant red duvet cover casually on the bed. "Molly, good choices. I've been stuck at home with the baby, unable to join you. Let me know if there's anything I can handle from here."

"Don't worry, I've got plenty for you to do. Oh, and Mia, don't forget to register for classes next term," Molly reminded.

Mia nodded. "I remember. Anya will remind me too."

Andre arrived from work, a mysterious object in hand.

Hearing his father's voice, the little one in Chad's arms flailed excitedly, making noises to capture dad's attention.

Andre stepped inside, acknowledging Chad's presence. "Chad's here."

Chad nodded. "Brought Molly to deliver something."

The little tyke was still excitedly waving his arms when Andre stepped aside, noticing the absence of his wife. "Dad, where's Mia?"

Hansen's phone chimed with a notification, displaying an icon of a paper airplane indicating a message.

Andre let out a sigh, giving up on understanding the cryptic digital message. He turned his attention to his nephew, who was awkwardly sitting there. He had left work early today and took a detour before heading home. "Where's your aunt?" The little guy pouted, giving his dad a side-eye for not picking him up.

Leo piped up, "She's upstairs chatting with my mom and Jade about lady stuff."

The little one's temper flared, grunting and mumbling for what seemed like an eternity. Was his dad deaf or something? Frustrated to the brink of tears, Henry pouted, ready to cry.

That's when Andre finally walked over, taking in the sight of his son's tearful face and scooping him up with a chuckle.

The cries never came, and the tears vanished. Nestled in his dad's arms, the little cub hummed contentedly and stopped fussing.

Chad glanced over at the little guy clinging to his dad, his eyes filled with envy.