Mia watched her son gnawing on his hands, lost in thought. "So, how did you bump into her? Does Chad know she's back in town?"
Molly, feeling a bit irritated, scratched her ear. "Well, she's working with Chad now. One's in the left wing, the other's in the right. Let's just say they see each other every day."
Mia was at a loss for words. Her husband didn't have any exes, so she couldn't quite relate to her friend's situation.
"Are you worried that Chad didn't pick you up today and isn't as clingy because his attention's been snagged by this woman?"
Molly went quiet for a moment before nodding. "But I don't think Chad's that kind of guy."
Curious, Mia asked, "Molly, how come you never mentioned Chad dating anyone to Leo or me before?"
The three of them usually gossiped about the tiniest things all afternoon, with Leo doing their homework while the sisters chatted away. Yet, Mia had never heard a peep about her brother's love life.
Molly shrugged. "He kept it under wraps back then, didn't tell a soul, so I didn't either."
"But if Chad kept it secret, how are you sure she's his first love? Maybe it's just a misunderstanding or some joke you overheard," Mia explained, sticking up for Chad. "I mean, he's always driving you around and hangs out with you on weekends. When would he even have time to date?"
Molly replied, "Mia, if you ever spot a woman eyeing my Andre, you'll know instantly. Women just have that instinct. I went looking for Chad four times, and she was always there. They go to restaurants together, and friends tease them... Once, when I found him on the field, she was there too. I even joked if she was my 'sister-in-law'. Chad swatted me, but didn't say no."
Then something changed. Chad got moody, kept his distance, and set rules to keep me away."
Mia was surprised by all this. "And you actually followed those rules?"
Molly nodded, a bit dazed. "Yeah, I thought maybe he broke up because I was too clingy. I felt guilty, so I behaved. I'd drag Leo shopping instead. But Chad was the first to break the rules, pulling me back and telling me off, even ordering me to keep away from Leo."
"Does Chad know you found out about his college fling?"
Molly looked down at her nephew, Henry, who was all ears. The family's little secrets never slipped past Henry, even more so than his dad. He knew all about his aunt and uncle's spats, his mom's secret grumbles about his dad, and even his grandpa's late-night gaming sessions. Yet, he couldn't speak.
Since he's Henry, no one avoided him. Molly hugged her sweet nephew tight. "Chad has no clue I know. He never told me. I ran into that woman today with Henry in my arms. She was flustered, and I was nervous."
Molly’s head was spinning, and Mia scratched hers too, unsure of what to do. Seeing his mom scratching, Henry mimicked her but missed. "Bam, daddy~"
Mia called out, "Honey, your son wants you."
Andre soon appeared, scooping up the little secret-keeper. "Too many mosquitoes out here. Let's chat inside."
The sisters headed indoors. Mia reassured her, "Molly, don't overthink it. Even if there was something in the past, Chad's not irresponsible. He's got a family now; he's not going to reignite any old flames."
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