Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

That night, Henry got booted to the spare room while the master bedroom light burned bright till morning, with faint whispers of passion echoing through. Mia, on the other hand, wouldn't stir until the sun was high in the sky.

By day, Andre was the epitome of a doting dad, out in the yard teaching Henry the art of squatting and sitting on his own. When Mia finally woke, she'd cozy up with a blanket by the big windows, taking in the sight of her adorable son playing on the grass and her husband, who seemed like two different people from dusk till dawn.

Afternoons were lazy and often had Mia nodding off for a brief nap.

Once playtime was over, Mia would pull open the window and call out, "Time to come back."

Seeing Mia awake, Andre would gesture towards her, gently coaxing their son back inside.

But little Henry was feeling defiant. Andre ended up tossing him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, carrying his giggling bundle of joy back into the living room.

Perched on his dad's shoulder, Henry was having the time of his life, drooling with laughter, his cheeks flushed without a hint of chill. Mia, cuddling him, felt her heart swell with love, pressing her face against his to warm him up.

"Mama!" he called out in his sweet little voice, making Mia melt on the spot.

As the holiday break came to an end, Andre found himself getting busier.

Before diving back into work, Chad not only managed to lift Jade's spirits but also amused himself by playfully teasing Molly, driving her up the wall.

Back at home, Anya was a whirlwind, racing to her mom's prenatal appointments faster than her dad could manage.

Some folks couldn't help but gossip about Mrs. Calder's decision to have another child at her age, whispering, "At her age, risking it all for another kid just to keep her spot secure. One day, she'll lose her looks, and Mr. Calder will definitely stray. She's just trying to keep him around,

Anya overheard it all. Maybe spending too much time with her sassy aunts had rubbed off on her because she let them have it. If she hadn't been held back, she might have gone all out.

"Do you live under my parents' bed

or something? You're just bitter

because you can't have kids anymore so you gossip instead. ahead, try having one if you're capable. Can't do it, can you? That's right, you old hags, just jealous of my mom.

Even now, my mom looks better than any of you. Take a good look in the mirror before you talk. You see others through your own dirty lens, accusing my dad of cheating. Bet it's your husbands sneaking around." "You, you!"

Anya, too riled up to stop, shot back, "No wonder your husbands have mistresses and don't come home. You're all just gossiping busybodies, jealous of my mom."

"You, you, you!" The women Anya confronted turned beet red. "What kind of upbringing does the Calder family have?"

"Do you have any right to judge me? At least I was taught not to talk behind people's backs based on fantasies. You're the embarrassment."

Others nearby, irked by Anya's fiery spirit, muttered disdainfully, "Such a spoiled only child from the Calder family, no respect for her elders. No matter how fancy the family, we wouldn't want such a daughter-in-law."

"I've got a boyfriend, and he's

amazing. Your family wouldn't even

stand a chance," Anya retorted, held back by waiter and her friends from lunging forward, taunting If my aunt were here today, you wouldn't be leaving this place on two feet."