Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Mia leaned back, watching the man's mouth as he spoke. There was something odd about the way he pronounced his words-like his tongue was a bit too long and he had this habit of biting it with his teeth, almost taunting her with every syllable.

She was reminded of those days at home, bored while cramming for her exams. Feeding her son, Henry, was always an adventure-he loved to chomp down on his chopsticks. Sometimes Mia would turn the tables and gently pinch his tiny tongue between the chopsticks. "Say 'Mama'-" she'd coax.

Henry would tip his little face up, tongue caught, and mumble, "Mama~"

"Good boy. Mommy's going to give you a big kiss!"

Then Henry would demand his turn, grabbing Mia's tongue with his chubby fingers and babbling, "Mama~ treasure."

Mia would play along, talking around her tongue, "Sweetheart, your hands are so tired! Did you get into something messy again?"

Honestly, there was nothing the two of them wouldn't turn into a game.

Now, back in the present, Mia took a gamble-sure enough, the man was biting his tongue again.

He covered his mouth and grabbed a water bottle, calling for a break. Mia retreated to a corner of the platform, sweat running down her face.

Molly rushed over, twisting open a fresh bottle and handing it to Mia. "Careful, Mia he's definitely plotting his revenge."

Mia nodded, wiping her brow. "I wonder how the kids are holding up."

"Don't worry about them. Anya's looking after them-they're probably having a better time than we could imagine. Stay sharp."

Mia nodded again, but she couldn't help thinking of her son. "Do you think he misses us so much he might cry?"

Molly thought of her own little wild child—always starting trouble, always wanting to wrestle. She felt a twinge of longing herself.

But still-

"Let him cry if he wants. You need to stay focused. Look, he's rinsing his mouth and spitting blood again. Mia, drink some more water—you need to keep your strength up."

Mia took another sip and glanced up at the second floor. "Why is it so dark up there? I keep feeling like someone's watching me."

Molly looked too. The lights upstairs were out, the shadows thick. "You're just seeing things."

On the second floor, Andre caught his wife looking his way. He turned and slipped away to a quiet corner.

Leaning against the wall, he was joined by Noah. "Boss, what're we doing over here?"

"Hiding," Andre muttered.

Noah blinked. "..."

Andre's

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wife get hit just now, do you to

letting her fight?"

Andre's face softened. "It hurts to watch."

Break time ended. Mia pushed herself up, ready for the next round.

Andre stepped out from his corner, back to his spot in the stands, eyes locked on Mia from above.

The whistle blew. This time, the man charged straight at her.

***

At Maple Lane Apartments, Henry started crying first, and it set his two little brothers off like dominoes.

They'd just woken from their nap and immediately began wailing for their mom and dad. Ash buried himself in his big sister's arms, while the two younger boys latched onto their brother's arms and neck Between sobs, Henry whimpered, "Brother, I want Mama and Daddy~"

Leo gathered them all up in a hug. "Hey, your parents will be back soon, okay? No more tears."

Wayne, thumb still in his mouth, could only call out the same two words: "Mama, Daddy~"

Leo watched the three of them crying, and realized cartoons weren't going to cut

it. For the first time ever, he decided to take all three little ones out.

It was too hot to go anywhere far, so Leo called to Anya, "Chad, what do you say we take them to the supermarket? There are those little

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carts for kids, and we won't have to carry them the whole time.

Anya agreed. Between the two of them, they scooped up the kids-one in Leo's

arms, another holding his hand, the third in Anya's arms-and set out.

At the supermarket, Leo kept a firm grip on Henry's hand. "Sweetie, don't run off. Let me grab a cart for you all to ride in."