Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 1573

In the evening, the three of them had dinner at the Irvin family’s place. Henry had played at his grandpa’s until late, and when night settled in, they drove back to Maplewood Estates—Mia had left her schoolbooks scattered all over the house and would need them the next day.

Annie, now moving more slowly as her pregnancy progressed, sometimes video called Mia just to check in on Henry. “Didn’t Conner steal my chef? Why do you still look so skinny?” she’d tease.

Annie was getting ready to give birth in Newtown but wasn’t impressed with Mr. Nettleton’s kitchen crew there. She’d even made a trip to Havenbrook, and before leaving, she managed to snag the Cedillo family’s private chef who specialized in cooking for expectant moms.

Meanwhile, Maja had spent some time in Bash. She slipped the neighbors some money, asking them to look after Dean for her.

“Maja, aren’t you and Dean close? Your aunties are still waiting for your wedding invitation—why not just stay and take care of him?” a nosy neighbor joked.

Since then, Maja always wore a black glove on her hand. “Auntie, I have a husband. Dean’s a good man—he saved me once, but he’s just someone I owe a favor to. If you see any nice girls in the area, please keep an eye out and maybe set Dean up with one.”

Maja clearly didn’t want to linger. She wanted to leave, just like she always did—no goodbyes, no second thoughts. But this time, she hesitated, and couldn’t help saying, “Dean’s got a good heart—he never says no to anyone who needs help. Please look out for him, don’t let him get dragged into things he shouldn’t.” She handed over some cash. “Take this, please. It’s for helping Dean out. I can’t stay any longer, so I’m counting on you and uncle to look after him.”

She wasn’t some storybook wanderer destined for a hidden paradise. That kind of happy ending was never meant for her.

A line of black cars pulled up outside Dean’s house.

On either side, Mr. Nettleton’s men stood, all in black suits and ties, looking sharp and stone-faced.

Maja took one last look around, her heart heavy. This run-down little place had saved her, sheltered her, let her finally sleep in peace. It was poor, even shabby, but it felt safer than any fancy city apartment ever could.

As she was about to get in the car, Dean came out. “Maja, where are you going?”

“Home,” she said, not turning around.

Word got around that Maja had a husband, and Dean was just the good guy who gave her a hand.

People agreed—Dean was a catch. Hardworking, smart, solid. Any girl would be lucky to have him.

Suddenly, everyone wanted to set their daughters up with Dean.

But Dean turned every offer down. “No, thank you.” One love was enough for him.

He knew it was Maja who’d quietly let these stories out, just to protect his reputation. Otherwise, in these far-flung villages where news traveled slow, how would the rumors have spread so fast?

That night, Dean lay in bed, staring at the little room where Maja used to stay. He’d built that bed with his own hands. Now, it sat empty.