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.

family gathering since acknowledging their relationship, and the

only people present were the core members of the Perez family and

his way

warmth as he looked around at the gathered family, missing only the comatose Karen and her

Perez, seated to his left, reassured him, “Don’t worry, Dad. With Vivienne here, Sasha will be

Pendleton chimed in, “That’s right, Dad. We should be happy that they found their

I know Sasha said you shouldn’t drink, but

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

sheepish grin, “Just one drink, one drink. Don’t

sycophantic demeanor would have had his subordinates roaring

her eyes at him, “You’re hopeless, Fredrick. Don’t worry, Vivienne. I’m here, and

it coming,” laughed Maddox, the only bachelor

to him, but

drink while keeping an eye on everyone at the table. Seeing Fredrick’s menacing look, he sent a sympathetic look to Maddox, who

they had all grown up

to have a

been long since 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

She sat next to Percival, flanked by the family’s two

Vivienne and chatted with her incessantly, offering her their treats, “Here, Vivienne,

in the child’s hand

cringed at the sight, Vivienne accepted it without

started to protest, but Vivienne waved her off,