### Enhanced Text:
The night was rough for both sisters. One wrestled with her thoughts, the other suffered physically. Sleep finally found them well past midnight.
Andre had recently rekindled the passion of his newlywed days, casting aside all restraint, and his mood had lifted remarkably. Nights were filled with joy, and his workdays were bright.
Mia's sleep routine was completely turned on its head. She’d sleep till midday, and by night, sleep was a distant memory. Her little one followed suit, mimicking her topsy-turvy schedule. Mia had wanted to instill the habit of a good night’s sleep in her son, but ended up leading him astray.
Mother and son shared their slumbers in the mornings. The worst was when Mia woke up one afternoon, well past two.
Anya, who had been clueless, had an epiphany about her aunt’s late mornings and stopped her pointless trips upstairs to check on the baby. Meanwhile, Molly began waking up at the crack of dawn, hovering around Hansen’s bedroom door.
She’d often ask, “Dad, feeling good today?”
“Not even close.”
Molly would just sigh.
Leo, with years of camaraderie with his aunt and uncle, could tell something was off with Molly lately.
Waking up that day, Mia yawned, and her child followed suit. Their synchronized yawning made Naomi chuckle, “My Henry is just too adorable, even when he yawns. Let Auntie Naomi hold my precious boy.”
Naomi quickly whisked Henry away, leaving Mia to herself. Ever since Henry’s arrival, Naomi couldn’t stand Leo’s habit of spitting seeds around the house. She urged him to help Andre at the office, but Leo kept dodging the task.
Whenever Naomi brought it up, Leo would escape with Anya in tow. Now, little Henry was the only one who couldn’t do any wrong in Naomi’s eyes.
Watching his mom coddle the baby, Leo sat next to Mia, “Don’t you think Jade’s been acting weird lately?”
Mia glanced at Molly’s neck, “How long has Molly been wearing that turtleneck?”
Leo frowned, not one to keep tabs on Molly’s wardrobe. Just then, observant Anya chimed in, “Auntie’s been back five days, and she’s worn it every day.”
Girls notice these things.
Mia and Leo exchanged looks, “With Jade’s fickle nature, how long does she usually stick to a sweater?”
“Two days, tops. If she wears one for three, there’s only one explanation: it’s expensive!”
Mia nodded, and Anya scrutinized Molly’s clothes. “But Auntie’s sweater isn’t a designer label or a limited edition.”
“Then something’s up,” Mia murmured.
Molly sat curled up on the couch, habitually clutching her turtleneck. She was oblivious to the trio’s intense gazes.
Later that afternoon, Mia’s child was once again spirited away—only brought back for nursing when he cried. Leo had become proficient at changing diapers, even earning Andre’s praise.
Molly, however, didn’t join the baby-snatching. Instead, she changed her clothes and prepared to leave. Mia called out, “Molly, where are you off to?”
“Just going for a stroll,” Molly replied, pulling on her boots.
Mia arched an eyebrow, “Don’t be out too long.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Sweet Mischief's Rollercoaster Romance