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

feeling a bit embarrassed, shrugged it off, "No need to thank me. We're all

choked on her pork

tugged at Dorian's shirt under the table, whispering, "What are you even saying? Vivienne's right

I didn't say anything

Dorian, "Don't worry, Dorian. You won't have to wait

Vivienne, "..."

Percival and Dorian engaged in conversation in the living room, while Cordelia pulled

retrieved a card from the drawer and handed

tried to return it, "Cordelia, I

be

the card

Dorian

It's customary for parents to give

gift when their daughter

us. Don't think it's

little, just

accept it."

the Brooks family had carved

at the bottom of the list,

dollars meant little to Dorian now; he could give

been accepted.

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 with Dawson, earning a million a year, allowing him to deposit twenty thousand

"I..."

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

hard for Vivienne

as if they were her

it came to Astrid's dowry, she wouldn't

and she extended her arms to hug