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.

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

and Karen’s first family gathering since acknowledging their relationship, and the grand dining

so the only people present were the core members of the Perez family and their special

Leopold, who had shamelessly squeezed his way in for a

he looked

son Luke Perez, seated to his left, reassured him, “Don’t worry, Dad. With Vivienne here, Sasha will be just fine. You shouldn’t

should be happy that

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 happiness

my mom’s not here, but I am,” Vivienne said with a

managing a sheepish grin, “Just one drink, one drink. Don’t worry,

would have had his subordinates roaring with

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 uncles

the only bachelor at

cool glance swept over to him, but Maddox showed

at the table. Seeing

family business, they

seemed to have

the last time he had angered Fredrick, and the echoes of his pained howls were still fresh. Now, he had already forgotten and was making the same mistake.

to Percival, flanked by the family’s

Vivienne and chatted with her incessantly, offering her

bean pastry in the child’s

cringed at the sight, Vivienne accepted it without a second

Vivienne waved her