Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Cooper bolted forward, with Mia hot on his heels. The little one, who'd been woken up by his uncle's kiss and started crying, was now wiggling out of his blanket, eager to see what all the fuss was about.

Back in the living room, Andre was heading out with his son's clothes. "Henry, come over here, buddy. Let's get you dressed. Don't give your uncle too much trouble."

After spending a good fifteen minutes with his uncle, little Henry felt that strong family bond and toddled over to Cooper, adorably calling out, "Muah!"

Cooper scooped him up, showering him with kisses. "Kiddo, you're the reason I'm still on speaking terms with your mom. You have no idea how much I miss you when we're apart. Every video call, she barely lets me see your cute face."

Mia was busy slipping socks onto Henry's tiny feet. "Want more face time with him? You've got to pay up," she teased.

Andre gave Mia a playful rub on the head, knowing full well why they were keeping Cooper at arm's length when it came to Henry, though he couldn't spill the beans.

The truth, though, has a way of sneaking out sooner or later.

Mia never imagined it would unravel this quickly. Cooper was back in the morning, and by lunchtime, he'd already pieced together that something was off. "Sis, what's that stuff you've been putting on my nephew's face? It looks like some kind of medicine."

Mia glanced at the cream in her hand, which she'd been using to treat Henry's puffy face with massages a couple of times a day. Even though the swelling had gone down, she kept at it, just to be safe.

"Oh, that? It's just a moisturizer because the cold might dry out his skin and make it rough," Mia fibbed smoothly.

Cooper mentally noted the name of the ointment, playing along like he bought her story.

Seizing a chance when Mia stepped away, Cooper took Henry outside to the swing, Googling the cream and even consulting a doctor buddy.

After giving Henry's face a good once-over, Cooper, who had the kid too spooked to misbehave, asked, "Hey, champ, are you guys hiding something from me?"

Cooper dialed up his parents. "Mom, who hurt my nephew? Don't try to dodge the question. If I'm asking, it means I already have a clue."

Madison, caught off guard but keeping her cool, said, "Who'd dare harm your nephew? He's the apple of our eye. You just got off the plane and you're already causing trouble with your sister. Come on home, your dad and I are waiting."

But Cooper wasn't buying it. "Not talking, huh? Fine, then I'm taking my nephew to the Cedillo family to get some answers. If it turns out they're responsible, I'm bringing my sister and the little guy back home with me."

"Cooper, come back immediately, stop this nonsense!" Madison called out.

Hearing his grandma's voice, Henry chimed in with a sweet, "Grandma!"

Madison, growing desperate, pleaded, "Cooper, listen to me, come back and we'll talk."noveldrama

Cooper, thinking his sister and nephew got a raw deal from the Cedillos, replied, "Mom, Dad, you might be scared of crossing the Cedillo family, but I'm not. If I find out they're behind this, I'm stepping in."

"It's not like that. The Cedillo family's been nothing but kind to your sister and Henry—er, I mean, Henry," Madison reluctantly confessed, knowing her son's fierce loyalty. "Your sister and Henry were kidnapped recently."

Cooper stopped dead in his tracks. "What?!"