Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Mrs. Calder spent the entire car ride grilling her husband about their son's recent life, but Mr. Calder couldn't answer a single question.

Mrs. Calder frowned. "Don't tell me you haven't been taking care of our boy?"

Mr. Calder squirmed a little. "Work's been crazy, I barely get a minute to myself. Plus, the kid loves hanging out with Henry. I figured, why not let them play together?"

Mrs. Calder gave him a sharp look. "He's your son."

"I know he's my son," Mr. Calder replied, sounding a bit defeated. "But he won't even look my way-he only listens to Henry. What do you want me to do?"

He sounded genuinely put out. "Our own kid doesn't even listen to Uncle Andre, either."

Mrs. Calder rolled her eyes at him. "From now on, when you get home from work, you're giving him his bath and spending two hours playing games with him. You two need some real father-son time. Next year, when I take another trip, you're in charge at home."

Since Mr. Calder and Bruce were sharing a ride, Naomi was in the car, too. She laughed, "I miss my little cutie so much. I even dream about Henry-he's such a sweetheart. Honestly, it's not just the kids who adore him-even grown-ups like me can't get enough. Every time you post a video in the group chat, I watch it on repeat."

While she was away, Mia often messaged Naomi, asking about their adventures and the sights they'd seen. She always ended with, "Naomi, how's our Henry?"

Whenever Naomi saw her adorable nephew in a video, she'd coo, "Henry, say hi to auntie."

"Mama-" Henry's tiny voice echoed in the video, doubling up the word in the cutest way. It made Naomi's heart melt. "Auntie misses you, Henry."

"Miss Mama," Henry chirped, then scampered off to see his grandma. "Gran, I missed you!"

Madison, his grandma, had gone all out and bought him a mountain of gifts.

Meanwhile, in the Byrne family car, Coleen already knew her daughter hadn't been home lately. "Honestly, it's probably better she's away. You spoil her rotten- whatever she wants, you say yes. I'm worried you're turning her into a real princess."

"Chad keeps her in check," her husband replied.

Coleen scoffed, "Molly just has to shed a tear and he melts." She turned to her husband. "So, how many days has Molly skipped work?"

Kendrick hesitated. "... Haven't really kept track."

9

is

Coleen, knowing her daughter's ways, slapped her leg. "With the boss out of town, the princess running wild. Bet she's skipped again."

Kendrick shrugged, "As long as she gets her work done, it's fine."

When they finally got home, Grandma Aubree woke up in the middle of the night.

"Coleen, you're finally back. Now I can finally relax.”noveldrama

"Mom, what's wrong? You look like you just took a big breath."

Kendrick explained, "Dad and Mom went out to a show, and when people heard you'd gone abroad,

they started talking about all the net

riots and shootings and

sick for days."

discrimination. They've berriet

Coleen laughed. "It's fine, Mom. I'm back, safe and sound. Everything was totally safe."

She gave her mother-in-law's arm a gentle squeeze and led her back to bed.

Not long after, Naomi and Mrs. Calder arrived at the Cedillo family home.

Andre unlocked the door and quietly opened up the kids' room.

He glanced at his wife, sleeping soundly on the bed. Not wanting to wake her he tiptoed closer. Everyone thought he'd come to pick up the baby, but instead, he bent down, slipped his arm around his wife's waist, and gently scooped her up in his arms, cradling her like a bride, ready to carry her back.

Mia, still half asleep, had her head tilted and the same old White Pass ticket

tucked under her pillow.

Andre smiled softly, still baffled why his little wife was so attached to it.

Mia snuggled into the warmth of his arms, drifting back to sleep—until her phone suddenly rang, jolting her awake.