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.

shot Dorian a

served a piece of pork to Percival, "Percival,

accepted with a smile, "Thank

shrugged it off, "No need to thank me. We're all family here. When Vivienne and your kids come along, they'll have to

her pork

table, whispering, "What are you even

clueless, "But I didn't

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,

Vivienne, "..."

engaged in conversation in the

retrieved a card from the drawer

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

to be

card back

Dorian and

you our own daughter. It's customary for parents to

daughter marries. This is

Don't

little, just

accept it."

was on a successful trajectory, and the Brooks family had

at the bottom of the

little to Dorian now; he could give

knowing Vivienne, even millions wouldn't have been accepted. After much consideration, they settled on a million

when not. Because of Vivienne, Dorian's first job post-Hawthorn was with Dawson, earning a million

"I..."

cut her off, "You have to accept it. We've been saving the same amount for your sister Astrid too. Both

hard for Vivienne

treated her and Astrid as

it came to Astrid's

she extended her arms