The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne sighed deeply as she read the text message screenshot Donald had sent her, feigning distress, thinking, “Seriously, is being this petty absolutely necessary?”

Percival’s hand had never left her shoulder, so he naturally didn’t miss the message popping up on her phone.

Watching another man throw a temper tantrum at his wife, Percival felt the acidic jealousy bubble up inside him. But if one were to trace the root of the issue, it would lead back to one of the infamous trio of numbskulls, who had been swaggering around without a care in the world.

Percival’s eyes narrowed slightly, sending a shiver down Leopold’s spine.

Before he could react, he felt something smack the back of his head, and he spun around, ready to fight, “Who’s there? Who dares to hit me? Do you have a death wish…”

His threatening words trailed off as he met Percival’s icy gaze.

Leopold’s normally confident facade crumbled upon seeing Percival.

Awkwardly straightening up, he thought, of course, who else but Vivienne and Percival, the dynamic duo, could be behind him? No one else would dare to mess with him. He should have known better than to get involved with this mess.

Ever since they got married, Percival had been getting more and more possessive.

“Vivienne?” Maddox called out from the doorway, having watched the trio for a while.

Noticing the three of them chatting in the yard, instead of coming inside and suspecting something was up, he stepped out, “Why aren’t you coming in? Dinner’s ready; we’re just waiting on you and Percival.”

“And me, don’t forget about me,” Leopold interjected, not willing to be left out.

Having taken his lumps and noted his grievances, he was determined to partake in the meal today, or it would be a total loss.

let them in. “Dad had the chef prepare your favorite dish, Vivienne. You’ve been so busy lately; you need to

was Vivienne’s and Karen’s first family gathering since acknowledging their relationship,

were the

squeezed his way in for

Jasper observed with warmth as he looked around at the gathered family,

him, “Don’t worry, Dad. With Vivienne here,

chimed in, “That’s right, Dad. We should be happy

poured a drink for Jasper, “Dad, it’s a day for celebration. I know Sasha said you shouldn’t drink, but let’s toast to

I am,” Vivienne said with

one drink, one drink. Don’t worry, Vivienne.

have had his subordinates roaring with laughter if they’d seen

no one at the table seemed to think anything was amiss. Alice Churchill, Fredrick’s patient wife, rolled her eyes at him, “You’re hopeless, Fredrick. Don’t worry, Vivienne. I’m here, and I won’t let your

laughed Maddox, the only bachelor

cool glance swept over to him, but Maddox showed no sign of

quietly matched him drink for drink while keeping an eye on everyone at the table. Seeing Fredrick’s menacing look, he sent a sympathetic

they had all

to have a short

his pained howls were still fresh. Now, he

She sat next to Percival, flanked by the family’s two youngest members – Natalia and

her incessantly, offering

pastry in the child’s hand was squished beyond

sight, Vivienne accepted it without a second thought,

protest, but Vivienne waved her off, “It’s okay, Aunt Zelda. I