Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

The next moment, Annie quickly shifted gears. "Hansen, where's Mia at?"

"Oh, my Mia is holed up in her room, hitting the books hard. Exams are just around the corner," Hansen called out to his grandson, "Henry, why don't you take your godmother up to see Mia? And keep it down, alright? Don't want to give her a heart attack, or she'll be after you again."

While Mia was deep in her studies, Henry burst in with gusto, throwing the door open and shouting, "Mom!"

Mia clenched her fist, ready to reprimand, "You little-Annie? What are you doing here?"

She softened, reaching out to her cheeky son. Henry, wise to his antics, dashed into his mom's arms, soaking up the affection like the cherished little one he was.

"How's the injury holding up?" Mia asked Annie.

"It's nothing major. A few scrapes and bruises are just par for the course for folks like us," Annie said as she settled down. The two women naturally fell into a casual chat.noveldrama

Downstairs, Conner was having a lively chat with Hansen, notebook in hand, jotting down notes, "...everything's got to come in pairs for weddings, and you've got to pass out red envelopes to the bride's family kids. Hold on, Hansen, slow down a bit, I need to get this all down..."

Hansen chimed in, "You'd better listen to Hansen's advice. Bruce and Andre's big day wouldn't be what it is without your uncle's helping hand."

When Andre got back and walked into the living room, he spotted his buddy chatting with his dad.

"Dad, Conner, you came alone?"

"Nope, Annie and your godson are upstairs."

Andre shrugged off his jacket and plopped down on the sofa, glancing at his brother's scribbles, "Still as messy as ever."

Upstairs, Mia was also digging for info on Annie's sister, having caught snippets here and there, her curiosity piqued.

"What's all this about your sister and the Dark Web? Why does the Dark Web say there's bad blood between your sister and Conner? Is it

because of you?" Mia had beard no

wondering for days, unable to get answers from her husband because he was always out and about.

Annie shook her head, wrestling with how to start.

Henry sat quietly on his mom's lap, just as curious, watching Annie. Occasionally,

he'd play with his mom's pen cap, poking his little fingers through it for fun.

"Did you know Conner led a revolt against the Nettleton family?" Annie asked.

Henry, still fiddling with the pen cap, gave it a little nibble.

Mia nodded, "I've heard something along those lines."

I.ne

"Conner's an outsider, with no support from his maternal side, so he doesn't have much of a voice in the Nettleton family. Before, everyone assumed the thirteenth family leader would be Emmery, my sister's fiancé. But then, that day happened..."

Annie thought that maybe, just maybe, unburdening herself could help, as Mia

seemed to be the only one she could really talk to.

II

"...I don't want my sister to get hurt,

and I don't want Conner to suffer either. But it feels like no matter who

I try to protect, the people I love end up getting hurt," Annie said with a pained smile. "I'm sorry, Mia My sister's been involved with the Dark Web. You and your child were kidnapped, and I have no idea what part my sister played in it."

"You don't owe us anything, so there's no need to apologize," Mia reassured, seeing the weariness in Annie. It was a tough spot anyone would struggle with.

"Did Conner really kill Emmery?" Mia asked.

Annie shook her head, "I don't know. I'm too scared to ask."

Mia felt the gravity of the situation, sharing in Annie's turmoil.

Henry, after a few nibbles on the pen cap, realized it wasn't quite the snack he'd hoped for and, with a little pout, tossed it aside, "Pfft, mommy, not tasty."