Milka nodded, “I’ve been dying to know about this, too.” Back when the Cedillo family’s youngest daughter went missing, Andre was completely obsessed, searching everywhere for his sister.
But somehow, while she’d been away for years, her family had already found her.
“So, where did they find Molly?” Milka asked.
Mars reached for Milka’s hand, sneaking in some affection while she was caught up in the story. “Mia, Molly, and Leo—those three have been best friends for over a decade, but none of them knew who the others really were. It was Mia who finally helped track down Molly. Poor Leo even had to take a back seat for those two. Oh, and do you know who saved Molly all those years ago?”
Milka’s curiosity was still burning. She leaned in, eyes wide. “Who?”
“Sweetie’s dad,” Mars answered.
Milka cocked her head, totally confused.
With a sly grin, Mars teased, “Didn’t see that coming, did you? Let me break it all down for you.”
For the next half hour, Mars spilled everything—how the Cedillo and Byrne families were tangled together, all of Mr. Nettleton’s embarrassing moments, and every juicy detail Milka had missed. By the end, she finally got the whole picture. “Ohhh, so that’s how it all fits together!”
It was like looking at a spiderweb, each thread weaving together their complicated relationships and wild twists of fate.
Mars was still holding her hand. He lifted it and pressed a light kiss to her knuckles.
“Hey, Mars!” Milka tried to pull away. “Holding hands is one thing, but why do you have to kiss me?”
Mars shrugged, smirking. “I’ve kissed you on the lips before—what’s a kiss on the hand? Look at you, getting all flustered. Come on, let’s go in. Time to head home.”
Milka walked up the steps, Mars’s hand still in hers.
Back in the living room, Jupiter spotted them holding hands. “So, you two are back together?”
Mars replied, “…I haven’t even officially started wooing her yet.”
Wayne and Henry went outside with Anya, splashing in puddles under her umbrella. By the time they got back, Anya’s shoes were soaked, but she didn’t care at all.
Back home, Anya peeled off her sopping socks.
Mia dragged her mischievous son over to look. “See? Auntie’s socks are soaked from playing with you two. What are we going to do about that?”
Still holding his mom’s hand as she scolded him, Henry used his other hand to rub his tummy. “It’s okay, I’ll buy Auntie new socks!”
“Oh yeah? You got money now?”
“Yeah! I’ve got tons!” Henry boasted, puffing out his little chest.
Wayne, shuffling over for his turn at a lecture, hung his head. After a bit, he mumbled, “I’ll listen to big brother from now on…”
Before they could even feel sorry for themselves, Anya’s heart melted and she scooped them both up for a hug. At the same time, she couldn’t help but miss her little brother. “If only Blake were here, I’d be the happiest big sister in the world.”

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