Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 516

Molly pursed her lips as she accepted Chad's room key.

At the Byrne household, Vivian, despite being part of the family, never felt truly welcomed. At the dinner table, she remained silent, hardly uttering a word. Kendrick couldn't fathom why his wife insisted on keeping Vivian around.

With a cold snort, Coleen spoke up, "Do you really think I'm blind to her scheming? She's bold enough to set herself on fire just to frame my daughter. I can't let such a malicious woman roam free before the case is solved. If I don't keep her under my watchful eye, who knows what she might do next to harm my girl."

After the incident, Coleen immediately weighed her options. As much as she loathed the sight of Vivian, sending her away wouldn't solve anything. The Byrnes were experts at not taking no for an answer. If you tried to cut ties, they would pester you relentlessly. And Vivian, her cunning was far superior to Juliana's. You keep dangerous dogs tied up where you can see them.

Ruling out spontaneous combustion, and considering it was deliberate arson, the room had housed only her and her daughter. Coleen knew her daughter Molly better than anyone after raising her for over a decade. It simply had to be Vivian who started the fire! Coleen understood the police needed evidence. She couldn't just tell them "Vivian did it to frame my daughter," because without proof, her words would be dismissed, and Vivian could even twist the story against her. Didn't Chad also believe his sister was innocent? He hadn't said a word; instead, he was investigating.

A person who would harm themselves to set a trap was someone to fear. Coleen wasn't afraid for herself; she feared what Vivian could do to her daughter if not kept in sight. "Why would she target our girl?" Kendrick was perplexed.

Through the mirror, dabbing on hand cream, Coleen glanced at her husband sprawled on the bed and thoughtfully replied, "Don't worry, her actions will reveal her motives."

...

Molly had been at the Cedillo residence for less than a day when Chad returned from work to find a lump beneath his bedsheets and two books sprawled open on the nightstand, covered in notes.

Approaching the bed, Chad gently shook the sleeping Molly awake. "Hey, you've been out for a while. It's already dark outside," he said softly.

"Mm, you're back?" Molly murmured, her voice sleepy and sweet as she lay tangled in the sheets, unaware of the time. Chad's heart swelled at the sound of her voice.

Sitting beside her, he leaned in close, looking as if he were lying next to her. Propping himself up on one elbow, he gently stroked her hair. "How come you fell asleep here?"

Molly, rubbing her bleary eyes, replied, "Henry, the little rascal at home, he's too distracting. Can't study a thing with him around. I get the urge to cuddle and kiss him every time I hear his voice. So, I had to come here to hit the books." Chad pulled Molly up, "Still got a lot to cover?"

She nodded, and Chad said, "I'm off tonight. You study here, and once you're done, I'll drive you home."

"I'm hungry," Molly announced with a grin.

Chad looked at her radiant face and couldn't help but smile indulgently.

Back at the Cedillo household, the little troublemaker Henry was snuggled in his mother's arms, cooing excitedly every evening.

"Did you enjoy sending your aunt packing?" Mia teased, nuzzling her son's cheek.

"Goo-gah," he gurgled back.

"You chased away your brother and Anya too. You've got quite the influence," Mia chuckled, tapping his little nose.

Henry beamed with delight, responding with happy baby sounds.

Mia never understood why parents talked to their babies when they couldn't understand a word. But, as a new mother, she discovered it was an instinct-babbling to a baby was simply what parents did. Soon, Andre arrived home.

He shed his suit jacket, a habit ingrained by his wife's gentle nagging, and hung it up to avoid wrinkles.

While hanging his coat, he inquired, "Where's Molly, Leo, and Anya? Why's the house so quiet?"

Mia, cradling their son, answered, "Your son's cuteness drove them all out to study."

Leo, being smart, didn't need to leave, but Anya couldn't resist the little one and kept returning to dote on him. Eventually, Leo had to drag her to the library to study.

Hearing his father's voice, Henry looked up at Mia with a bright smile, kicking excitedly as if he recognized Andre's presence.

Andre removed his wristwatch and placed it on the bedside table, then approached to admire his son, with his chubby cheeks and milky scent, as adorable as a little fat kitten.

Picking up Henry, Andre felt his son's warm, soft body in his arms.

Father and son locked eyes, and Andre laughed, "It's not his fault they can't control themselves. My boy is just too cute."

Henry nestled in his father's arms, looking up and babbling as if to agree.

Before long, Leo and Anya returned home, and Molly's bedroom remained dark, a sign of her absence.

After returning home, Mia's parents made their way to her bedroom for the nightly ritual. The little tyke was sprawled out on her bed, lost in the world of dreams. Gently, they stroked her back, unintentionally stirring her from slumber until her face flushed with the onset of tears. Satisfied with their expression of love, they quietly left the room, content with the day's end.

Meanwhile, in a cozy hotel room, Molly was hunkered down with her textbooks spread out before her, a feast of knowledge awaiting her attention. Chad, ever the supportive partner, sat beside her. He resisted the siren call of his smartphone, dedicating himself fully to aiding her in her studies.

Lately, life had thrown a myriad of distractions Molly's way, and now, with exams looming on the horizon, anxiety had set in.

Chad couldn't help but tease her, "Trying to cram at the last minute, huh?"

Without skipping a beat, Molly retorted, "Better late than never."

Their words hung in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the truth in their jest.