Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 1617

People had gotten so used to seeing this father and son together that nobody even blinked anymore. Back when Henry was just a chubby-cheeked baby, he’d be up at the crack of dawn, tagging along as his dad drove Mom to class. Now that Mom was working on her graduate degree, nothing about their routine had changed: Andre and Henry still showed up every day to pick up that lively, quick-witted Mrs. Cedillo. Everyone knew the story, but it never got old—heads would always turn as they passed by. “There goes Andre, picking up Mia again. It’s such a small thing, but honestly, it feels more romantic than a thousand bouquets.”

“Andre even brings Henry with him every time. That’s what makes it the sweetest,” someone would add.

Henry, once a squishy little baby, had grown into a pint-sized rascal.

At nine o’clock sharp, the school bell rang. Mia and Jamie strolled down the steps, shoulder to shoulder, chatting about the latest legal updates from class and mapping out tomorrow’s study plan.

Across the street, Henry stood gripping his little skateboard, craning his neck to spot his mom in the crowd. He found her instantly—no one else shone quite like she did. He hollered, “Mom! I’m here to pick you up!”

Mia looked over and broke into a smile that could outshine the sun.

Henry’s energy only lasted so long. After he’d tired himself out on his board, Mia scooped him up for the walk home, while Andre carried the skateboard. They swung by the campus café; Mia swiped her card and bought Henry a cup of warm, sticky-sweet red bean porridge. He hugged it with both hands as the three of them headed home together.

You could say Henry had already made himself a regular at his mom’s school cafeteria.

Once in the car, Mia glanced at Henry and asked, “So, Henry, do you think you’ll like going to school?”

Both parents were a little nervous—what if he cried his eyes out when the day actually came? They knew their hearts would break right along with his.

Henry sipped his porridge and asked, “Are you going to be there with me?”

Mia shook her head, smiling gently. “Mommy has her own classmates, and you’ll have your own friends. There are so many fun things to do at school—and lots of kids your age. You’ll have big kids and little ones to play with every day.”

Andre wasn’t surprised. He knew people wanted their kids to be in the same class as his son, hoping it’d bring them closer to him—especially since he was known for doting on Henry.

Noah, his assistant, commented, “Boss, you never even had a kid before. Who would’ve guessed folks would go to so much trouble just because of yours?”

With the paperwork only halfway done, they weren’t sure if they should move forward or wait.

Andre made up his mind. “Set up a dinner with Kingsley Academy tonight. I want to talk to the school board and get Henry’s enrollment sorted out.”

“On it,” Noah replied, heading off to make the calls.

Meanwhile, Mia had tuned everything out but her bar exam prep. Whenever she went back to the Irvin place, her mom, Madison, would nag her: “Mia, you can’t expect Andre to handle everything. Marriage is about equal effort. Sure, your assignments are important, but Andre runs an entire company. If anyone’s busier, it’s probably him.”