Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 1627

Milka nodded. “Things have been good. I feel free.”

Jupiter just snorted and looked away, totally unimpressed.

Roberto gave his friend a nudge. “Come on, it’s just us. She’s doing fine overseas—you can finally stop worrying. Remember who used to fret about them freezing or starving out there? Who asked me to pull some strings and made sure they got money every month? You never kept a dime for yourself.”

Milka stared at her dad, stunned.

The truth was, every month, some money showed up in her mom’s account, even now.

She’d called their lawyer back home to ask about it. After the divorce, he’d told her that since her mom was still considered immediate family, was older, and hadn’t worked for years, she got a stipend. The explanation was so vague, Milka never really understood. Later, she pieced things together and asked, “So you mean Mom worked hard all these years, and after the divorce you guys just gave her a kind of retirement benefit?”

The lawyer had answered right away, “Exactly!”

So Milka and her mom had accepted it.

Honestly, those first months after moving abroad weren’t as tough as they’d expected.

She’d never guessed the money was really coming from her dad’s paycheck, quietly funneled to them the whole time.

“Dad! Why didn’t you ever say anything?” Milka asked.

Jupiter, caught out, looked awkward, like he was worried people would think he still had feelings for his ex-wife. “What was there to say? I don’t have anything to spend money on. The department covers my room and board. You’re my only daughter—who else would I give it to?”

Mars had been watching Jupiter squirm, thinking to himself that men really do get each other. If Dad wanted to give money to his daughter, why not just send it to her? Why sneak it through Mom’s bank account?

Roberto shook his head. “You’re just stubborn. If you’d swallowed your pride and said sorry back then, maybe the family would still be together. Who knows, we might even have grandkids by now.”

The house was bought, the keys handed over, but it still sat empty.

Sensing his daughter’s discomfort, Milka’s dad stepped in to break the tension. “Mars, aren’t you supposed to go back to the department soon? It’s been years. You planning to just quit for good?”

Mars said, “I’ll go back next year.”

Her dad, who always meant business, shot him a look. “Next year’s too late. As soon as you get the notice, you get yourself back there.”

“Yes, sir.”

Then Roberto added, “Looks like Mars won’t be around much longer. Milka just got back—she probably doesn’t remember where anything is. Mars, you’ve had enough time off, eating and relaxing. Take Milka out and show her around.”