Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Dean looked at Maja again, catching the shimmer of tears in her eyes. In the lamplight, they sparkled—beautiful, even in their sadness. “That day, when you said someone wouldn't make it to heaven... you meant him, didn't you?"

Maja held his gaze for a moment, gave a fragile smile, and let her tears slip down her cheek. "Yeah."

"Maja, how about we trade stories?" Dean's voice was gentle, almost hopeful. "Maybe we could help each other heal."

“Heal?” Maja echoed, a little skeptical.

Dean nodded. "You know how I am always the good guy. I can't say no to anyone. Big stuff, little stuff, if you ask, I'll help. It's my best and worst quality. But you, you've been carrying your pain all by yourself."noveldrama

Maja looked at him, and Dean had to look away, afraid that if he stared any longer, he'd get pulled in even deeper. "What are you so afraid of? Why are you always running? Why can't you go home? Why the gunshot? Maja, who are you, really?"

Finally, he met her eyes again, his question laid bare between them.

Maja stared into the fireplace. "If the person you loved was killed by the man your little sister loved... what would you do? And there's a catch-your sister is the one you love most in the world."

The fire cracked, tossing light and warmth into the silence.

Dean spoke softly, "So... who's right and who's wrong?"

Maja drifted away into her memories. Who was right? Who was wrong?

After Annie got pregnant, she started dreaming about her sister a lot. She'd promised Conner she'd let him handle everything.

"Annie, trust me. I'm your husband now. Let me take care of it," he'd said.

Naturally, Annie chose to believe him. "Are you sure you're not too busy?"

"Me? Busy? Not even close. I've got so much free time I've already picked out baby names."

Annie rolled her eyes. "Come on, I know exactly what you've been up to."

When she heard the news from someone else that night, Annie's heart ached for Conner-starting over isn't easy. Her family couldn't do much, but Conner's old buddies stepped up without hesitation.

One day, Annie called Conner just to check in. The conversation soon drifted to Maja. "Any news about my sister?"

"No news is good news," Conner replied.

That didn't really reassure Annie, and Conner picked up on her silence. He quickly switched gears. "It's fine. The Dark Web folks didn't get what they wanted. They won't dare hurt her. So, tell me-how's the baby? Been kicking you a lot?"

"Have you never seen a pregnant woman before?" Annie teased.

"Nope. How'd you know?" he shot back.

Annie just went quiet again.

He'd also heard their godson had been visiting Annie. "That kid's something else. Knows to keep his godmom company so she doesn't get too lonely while her goddad's busy."

"I'm not lonely, just kind of overwhelmed," Annie admitted.

Conner could picture their godson's antics. "So, did he get into trouble?"

"Oh, you bet."

"Who laid into him?"

"Both his mom and his dad."

Conner grinned. "Figures. What for this time?"

"You mean, why did his mom scold him, or why did his dad?"

Mr. Nettleton, their neighbor, sounded amazed. "Wait, he got in trouble for two different things?"

Annie laughed. "Mia always says: kids have a knack for surprising you.

One they make you cryel·

happy tears, the next you're about to pull your hair out."

"So, what'd he do?" Conner asked, curiosity getting the better of him.