Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 537

Molly had spent the whole afternoon in Chad's office, not even bothering to check her phone. She was trying to wear him down, hoping to convince him to give up whatever he was so stubbornly working on.

By evening, she saw how swamped Chad was. It was way past dinner time, and neither Chad nor his team had eaten. Feeling a pang of sympathy, she decided to do something nice. She went out, bought dinner for the entire police squad, and dropped it off at the station before heading home. When Chad finally finished his case and looked around for Molly, he realized she had already left.

Back at the Cedillo residence, Mia was waiting at the door with a knowing look. "Back from your little stroll?" she asked.

Molly met her gaze, feeling as if Mia could see right through her.

"Mia-"

Mia glanced at Molly's outfit and teased, "Do you want to spill the beans, or should I?"

Molly hesitated, wondering if she should confide in her best friend. Maybe Mia could help her out of this mess.

"Let's go to my bedroom."

Mia followed Molly upstairs. Once inside, Molly sat on the edge of the bed while Mia, still in her pajamas, sat beside her. Mia reached out to touch Molly's neck but stopped at the collar of Molly's turtleneck. Molly's cheeks turned red as she closed her eyes. Mia paused and asked respectfully, "Can I see?"

Molly didn't say a word, but Mia understood. She gently pulled the collar aside, revealing faint marks. These were all too familiar to Mia.

Shocked but composed, Mia looked at Molly's blushing face and withdrew her hand.

"Talk to me," she said softly.

Molly hesitated before blurting out, "Do you have any idea who could've left these... marks?"

"Chad," Mia replied without missing a beat.

Molly was silent.

Mia continued, "With Chad around, you wouldn't have a chance to meet any other guy who's interested in you."

Again, Molly kept quiet. It seemed everyone knew that with Chad around, she wouldn't have any romantic prospects.

"Mia, promise me you won't freak out."

Mia smirked. "Don't worry, I'm prepared."

Molly took a deep breath. "Chad and I... we slept together."

Mia, who had just boasted about being prepared, now gaped in shock. "What, what?! When?!"

"No, no, no, don't freak out. It's not what you think. We didn't... you know. It was just... he saw me undressed, and he told everyone we had been intimate, implied it had been going on for a while. But in reality, nothing happened between us," Molly explained in a rush. Mia, still surprised, asked, "For real? Nothing happened?"

Mia's so-called preparation was limited to the idea that her friend had finally found someone, perhaps secretly dating Chad. But she never imagined that Molly would be so bold as to skip all the steps and jump straight to intimacy.

Seeing her best friend's shocked and disbelieving reaction, Molly realized what it would mean to come clean to the Cedillos.

"Yeah, we didn't go that far. It's all a lie, and no one believes me when I try to explain."

Mia pressed, "Impossible. Even if Chad lied, without evidence, Coleen and Uncle Sub wouldn't just take his word for it."

Molly was nearly at her wit's end. "The infuriating part is that I shot myself in the foot, and it's like the universe is conspiring with Chad! That day at noon, I stole a kiss from him, my first bold move, and sent it to Vivian just to tick her off. And that night, it really happened..." Molly was too embarrassed to continue. "Of course, I wasn't dressed properly, and Chad ended up kissing me right there."

"Where?"

Molly pointed to her chest, her face turning even redder. "Then he saw the birthmark below my collarbone and used it to deceive my parents, and they believed him."

Mia was so shocked she forgot to blink. "And then what?"

Molly recounted everything that had transpired over the recent days, her head hung low. "Mia, what should I do?"

Mia was at a loss for words. "Molly, level with me. Do you have feelings for Chad?"

Molly bit her lip. "I think... maybe I do."

With that admission, Mia understood her friend's intentions. "Then... maybe you should just go for it."

Molly, afraid to speak to her brothers, could only confide in Mia. "How can I bring it up without getting killed? How can Chad ask for my hand without getting thrown out?"

Mia replied plainly, "Don't be too greedy."

That night, the sisters talked until Andre returned home.

In the Cedillo family, Molly's fear of Andre was palpable. "Mia, can you help me talk to Andre?"

Mia was honest. "Let me tell you straight, my husband is a stickler for propriety. Even though he adores me, if he disagrees with something, a hundred words from me won't make a difference." Molly felt disheartened, but Mia reassured her. "Don't worry, I won't leave you hanging. I have another suggestion..."

When Andre got home, he was surprised not to be greeted by his wife and son at the door. Entering the living room, he saw his son being playfully tossed around by his brother and sister Anya. He approached, and the kids gave way.

Andre picked up his little 'meatball' and asked, "Where's your mom?"

Henry was silent.

For some reason, everyone in the house seemed to expect the toddler to talk. Even his clever father would often ask him questions. At best, Henry could only manage a "wah" or two before crying. Patting his son's back, Andre turned to Leo. "Where's your aunt?"

Leo replied, "In Jade's room."

Andre approached his sister's bedroom door, and as he was about to knock, the door swung open from the inside.

Seeing her husband, Mia took their son from his arms, exchanged a look with Molly, closed the door for her, and walked off with her child without saying a word to Andre.

Andre touched his nose, watching his wife's silent protest. He knew he was at fault and let her have her moment of anger.

In the deep quiet of the night, Molly took to heart the advice given by her friend Mia. She tiptoed up to the bedroom door of her big brother, Naomi, and gave a soft knock. "Hey Naomi, you still up?"

Naomi, who had a soft spot for all the girls in the family, responded with warmth. "Not yet, Molly. Come on in."

Pushing the door open, Molly was greeted by the sight of her brother in cozy pajamas, comfortably settled in for the evening.

Bruce, Naomi's husband, glanced up and caught Molly's eye. He knew his sister-in-law must have something important to discuss with Naomi, so he made a tactful exit. "Naomi, I think I'll head over to the den for a bit, give you two some space to chat." With a gentle nod, Bruce made himself scarce, leaving the sisters-in-law to their privacy.

Touched by the considerate gesture, Molly watched as Bruce walked away, whispering a heartfelt "Thank you" into the quiet of the room.