Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 1556

As soon as he stepped outside, Hansen ran smack into another brewing storm. “Andre, how many times do I have to say it? No showers! Why won’t you listen?”

It always took Mia coming down to break up the tension. Only with her peacekeeping did father and son make it out the door without another shouting match and head to the office.

Teddy greeted them with his usual easy grin. “Hansen’s still the same, huh? Always the mischievous old man.”

Andre just shook his head. “His mind and his age couldn’t be further apart. The older he gets, the younger he acts. And the easier he is to trick, honestly.”

Teddy burst out laughing. “So, Andre, what’s it like living in a house full of rebels, troublemakers, and a whole bunch of kids?”

Andre just sighed. “Who’s got the energy to feel anything? If I’m not refereeing some argument, I’m running home from work to settle another. One kid gets into trouble, the next is already in line. It’s way busier than anything I do at work.”

Teddy teased, “So daughters are supposed to be quieter? I’m starting to look forward to our honorary goddaughter.”

Andre snorted. “With Conner as her dad? Good luck getting a quiet, well-behaved little girl.”

Meanwhile, overseas, Mr. Nettleton was still at the hospital when he sneezed twice in a row. “Damn, who’s talking about me now?”

Officer Chapman didn’t even look up. “Or maybe someone’s cursing you.”

Mr. Nettleton shrugged. “If they are, it’s just those poor guys without daughters. Let them be jealous.”

Annie shot her husband a look of exasperation. “What are you doing at the hospital again?”

He put on a wounded expression. “What do you think? My wife and daughter are here. If they don’t love me, can’t I at least come here to love them?”

Annie’s cheeks turned pink. “I—I never said I didn’t love you.”

Mr. Nettleton grinned, milking it for all it was worth. “Really, Annie? Do you love me?”

Annie reached up, gently squeezing Conner’s cheeks. “Conner, sometimes I wish I could see what’s underneath that thick skin of yours.”

He let her squish his face, grinning wide and stupidly happy. “Still the face of a man who loves you.”

The setting sun spilled through the window, blanketing them both in warm light. Conner clasped his hands behind him, eyes shining with a love meant only for Annie. Bathed in the golden glow, even Annie’s tough edges softened, her smile lighting up her whole face. Her happiness was obvious to anyone who looked.

Her words might have been sharp, but every one was said with a smile. In her eyes, there was only Conner.

Their love was impossible to miss now—no point in trying to hide it.

Maja watched from where the sunlight couldn’t reach, gazing at the couple wrapped in the sunset’s glow, as if the whole world was celebrating them. Her throat tightened, eyes prickling with tears she wouldn’t let fall. She didn’t say a word—just turned and walked away, alone in the long shadows.

Utterly alone.