The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the backyard, Vivienne was keeping an eye on Natalia and Yasmine as they played in the garden. She was merely watching, as the kids always behaved and stayed close when she was around. Maddox tried to approach stealthily, but Vivienne spotted him instantly.

He looked around nervously, as if he was worried about being followed. His attempt at being sneaky was almost comical.

Even Natalia and Yasmine noticed him, but they just glanced his way and continued with their flower picking, unbothered.

When Maddox turned and met Vivienne's calm gaze, he felt like she could see right through him. He awkwardly touched his nose and said, "Vivienne, um, you've been getting along well with my niece's husband, right?"

Vivienne was puzzled. Was this some new, odd way of greeting?

She remembered Maddox's call a few days ago, which was followed by a message saying it was nothing urgent. She hadn't pressed the matter, but now it seemed like she might have missed something important.

Pretending to be casual, she asked, "Uncle Mac, I haven't seen Willa around today, have you?"

Mentioning Willa made Maddox's face fall instantly. He sat down and started lamenting, "Vivienne, do you think Willa's mad at me? She won't answer my calls or texts, and I have no clue where she's gone..." Vivienne quickly moved away, rubbing her forehead, "What did you do to Willa this time?"

Maddox hemmed and hawed without giving a straight answer, his face turning a shade of red.

Vivienne guessed, "She didn't accept your proposal?"

Maddox froze, his face turning beet red in shock. "Vivienne, how did you guess?"

Vivienne looked at him with a "what do you think" expression. Everyone in the family knew about their relationship, including her considering Willa as an aunt.

The wedding was only a few days ago, and they were already having issues. It had to be about the proposal.

Maddox was lost in his thoughts, "Did I rush things and scare Willa? If so, I can just drop the subject. Honestly, as long as I can be by her side, I don't care about anything else..."

sigh. It was clear why her

disappear? Did she say anything

frantic, "I saw her last night and tried to talk, but she kept avoiding me. And now she's gone

is it

me in a

came running over, each grabbing one of her hands, and giving Maddox

Let's go

handle Uncle Mac's romantic woes any longer. No

living room, Arthur was surrounded by the Perez brothers, while Sasha was chatting with a few aunts. Willa, whom Maddox had been fretting over, was right there. Vivienne understood why the family had been ignoring Maddox's antics. A simple outing had turned him into a bundle of nerves, and only Willa had the patience for him. Feeling Vivienne's gaze, Willa

over, "Willa,

Sasha's hand, "I heard Sasha was coming, so I went to grab

blurted

at Sasha, thinking Vivienne was joking, unsure of

laughed,

gave Vivienne a look, signaling her concern

off, "I'm serious. Ask Natalia and Yasmine; kids

nodded vigorously, their hands wildly gesturing, "She's right. Uncle

couldn't sit still any longer

Uncle Mac might

and Yasmine, chuckling to Sasha, "You worry too much. With Willa going to him, Uncle Mac's probably over the

Aunt Carmen expressed frustration

Maddox, wishing he'd be

sake, while Aunt Alice Churchill gently

emphasizing the need for Uncle Mac to grow up and stop playing