The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The trio stepped into the elevator together.

As they reached their floor, Dorian heard the noise outside and came to open the door, "Vivienne, Percival..."

Upon seeing Thaddeus trailing behind the couple, he raised an eyebrow, "Now, where were you this early morning? Ah, waiting downstairs for your sister, I see. Why didn't you say something? Your mom thought you were oversleeping."

Caught in his little scheme, Thaddeus's face turned a bright shade of red, "Dad... I wasn't sleeping in."

Dorian chuckled and ruffled his son's hair, encouraging him to go and inform Cordelia Wilson of his whereabouts.

"Don't let us start worrying if we can't find you later."

In the living room, Cordelia emerged from the kitchen with a bright smile, "Vivienne, Percival, you've arrived."

Vivienne nodded as she approached, "Cordelia."

Percival set down the gifts they brought, "Dorian, Cordelia, these are some delicacies my in-laws insisted we bring over for you to try."

Dorian, eyeing the elegantly wrapped gift boxes, instinctively refused, "Oh no, we really can't accept these, Vivienne, Percival. Please, take them back."

Cordelia chimed in, "Yes, we're still trying to figure out how to return the last batch Mr. Linklater brought over. If you keep bringing these, we'll lose sleep over it." Percival gave a wry smile, "Cordelia, these gifts were a specific request from my in-laws. If you don't accept them, I'll be the one getting an earful back home." Dorian and Cordelia exchanged helpless glances.

Vivienne had a habit of sending over treats every now and then.

And ever since Arthur learned how to keep his daughter happy, gifts had been arriving even more frequently, much to the couple's dismay.

After repeatedly asking them to stop, things had quieted down for a bit.

And now, it was starting all over again.

Vivienne, pulling Cordelia to sit down, said, "These are just some snacks. Please, accept them, or Mr. Wolf will have trouble explaining himself back home." Convinced by Vivienne's reasoning, Dorian and Cordelia finally relented.

The lunch table was filled with Vivienne's favorite dishes, plus a beautiful strawberry cheesecake ordered from outside.

During the meal, Dorian habitually served a piece of sweet and sour pork to Vivienne, reminding her, "Vivienne, eat up. You're about to get married. You should take it easy on work and rest more. Don't push yourself too hard just because you're young."

Vivienne nodded.

Dorian

served a piece of pork

accepted with a

embarrassed, shrugged it off, "No need to thank me. We're all family here. When Vivienne and your kids

choked on her pork at the sudden leap to

feeling helpless, tugged at Dorian's shirt under the table, whispering, "What are you even

I didn't

smile in his eyes, raised his glass to Dorian, "Don't worry, Dorian. You won't have to wait too long to be called grandpa." Feeling validated, Dorian gleamed at his wife and toasted, "Cheers

Vivienne, "..."

in the living room, while Cordelia pulled Vivienne

card from the drawer and handed it

its purpose immediately and tried to return it, "Cordelia, I can't accept

to be

the card

"Vivienne, Dorian and

our own daughter. It's customary

when their daughter marries.

Don't think it's

little, just

accept it."

had

of the list,

million dollars meant little to Dorian now; he could give Vivienne much

have been accepted. After much

the Hawthorn family, planning for both Vivienne and Astrid's futures. Saving more when possible and less when not. Because of Vivienne, Dorian's first job post-Hawthorn was

"I..."

have to accept it. We've been saving the same amount

for Vivienne

treated her and Astrid as if

and when it came to Astrid's

her