The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Sasha's eyes twinkled with amusement as she spoke. She put down her pen and stepped forward to greet Winston personally-after all, he was just a little guy.

Winston toddled over, his little legs moving quickly. He was dressed in a British-inspired outfit, a sea-blue striped button-up shirt paired with navy shorts, a blend of retro and fashionable.

He was carrying a bouquet of vibrant roses, each bloom full and bright, their scent filling the air.

Winston could barely hold the bouquet with one hand and had been clutching it with both as he ran over. Now, looking up at Sasha with excitement, he exclaimed, "Auntie, look at the roses I brought for you!"

Sasha's heart swelled with joy at the sight of the flowers, a happy smile spreading across her face. "These don't look like they were bought; they seem freshly cut, so vibrant."

Winston's voice was soft, "They're from our garden. I asked the gardener to cut them especially for you!"

Feeling even more delighted, Sasha took Winston's hand and found a clear glass vase, filling it with water and arranging the bouquet of roses inside.

Arthur, seeing the bright red roses, couldn't help but smile. "This little guy is really sweet with Sasha. Quite the charmer."

Sitting on the couch, Vivienne raised an eyebrow. She had been at the same party and had seen Winston interacting with his mother, pondering for a moment.

Sasha pulled Winston towards Vivienne, her voice gentle, "This is my daughter, Vivienne."

Vivienne was momentarily taken aback by the unusual family dynamics.

Alyssa and Sasha were about the same age.

Winston was Alyssa's younger brother.

Normally, Winston would call Sasha "sister."

But Vivienne was over a decade older than Winston...

the oddity, finding it

greeted her, a

examined Winston carefully, responding warmly,

to Winston's level, asking, "Is it

been so caught up since entering and seeing Sasha that

my sister and

"The Alyssa who came

Winston nodded obediently.

tying a ribbon and frowned, "Didn't I say she's not welcome in the Linklater

tugged at his arm, signaling him to be mindful

here, let's invite her

clenched. She vividly remembered the disdainful looks from the guards

family's gatekeepers

and she adopted a more dignified

busy with wedding invitations, sealing them

were invitations, her mood

Arthur, but this

saw her and instinctively scowled, his voice cold,

trying to salvage her

incident. I shouldn't have been swayed by Kate's words and treated Ms. Perez with such hostility. I'm here on behalf of the Wright family to apologize, hoping you can forgive

was polite but distant. "Take a seat.

Sasha's noncommittal response as

my indiscretion. Can you not find it in your heart to do the same?" Arthur, focused on the invitations, responded coolly, "Your issue is

an indifferent glance at Alyssa, Arthur's reaction left her scrambling for a seat, her discomfort

brought in tea and snacks, Alyssa delicately tasted a pastry before offering

bit into it