The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Hearing the word "honeymoon", Arthur's eyes lit up. He had longed for some alone time with his wife for ages.

But then he thought of his daughter, who was newly pregnant. Weighing both sides, he still felt uneasy. "We can go on a honeymoon anytime, but our daughter's health is most important." Sasha rolled her eyes, "Don't you know our daughter? She's as strong as an ox. What's there to worry about?"

Arthur was taken aback, "Then why did you give her medicine?"

Sasha was momentarily speechless.

Realizing her slip, she quickly said, "I just wanted the young couple to be more cautious. You know, the first three months are always a bit risky..."

"Honey!"

Arthur cut her off, his face a mix of distress and reproach.

Sasha sighed, "Vivienne was poisoned. The medicine was to detoxify her."

"Poisoned?"

Arthur's demeanor sharpened, an intimidating aura surrounding him.

Sasha knew he would react this way and gently patted him, "Don't worry, that little poison won't affect her much. It's mainly because we were worried it might harm the baby. But..."

She paused, a cold glint in her eyes, "Whoever did it probably didn't know about Vivienne's pregnancy. The poison wasn't meant to harm her physically but to manipulate her mentally." Arthur took a deep breath, his grip tightening then relaxing, his gaze filled with concern for Sasha, who bore the weight silently, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Sasha looked at him, the answer clear.

Decades of missed fatherhood meant that at an age when he should be learning to let go, he still wanted to be more present for his daughter.

But his daughter had grown up. She had her own career, her own family, and her own battles to fight.

The challenges she faced were far more dangerous than anything her parents had encountered.

Their daughter had become stronger in ways they couldn't see, no longer needing their protection.

Sasha exhaled deeply, taking his hand, "Arthur, Vivienne's path will be much longer than ours. What we need to do is not to clear the obstacles for her but to help her grow stronger." Arthur was silent for a moment before finally speaking, "You're right. My daughter is more than just 'excellent.""

Seeing he understood, Sasha smiled again, "So, are we still going on our honeymoon?"

burning with resolve, "Of

smile, "That's more like

Percival arrived at the Perez family's home after dinner time. Fortunately, Mr. Wolf had

wasn't particularly hungry, just tired of sweets and craving something savory to balance

Vivienne stepped out of the car, she was greeted

"Vivienne, you're finally here!"

so long we almost

and Gary, Vivienne looked past them, "Where's

forward, "Vivienne, Master's

and followed him

voice called

but to have this old man, wounded and bandaged, treated so harshly

his inner energy, but when

until Vivienne

stubborn, not minding the wait for

her starve, and since morning, he had barely eaten, threatening to faint at the Perez family's doorstep to show how they treat their

famished, was barely holding

it was embarrassing, they had to stand

anger, Vivienne quickly stepped in to mediate, "Grandpa, it's my fault for

old man tricked me into thinking you were on a dangerous mission and got hurt. Let me see, did you get injured

blurted out the truth upon

smile, "Grandpa, I can't say much, but don't worry, I'm not

Remember, no matter how

saved some dinner for

Finnian, "..."

to Mr. Wolf for support as they headed to

was full, as the Perez family had gathered, knowing Vivienne would be

Vivienne, Mr. Wolf, and the nine apprentices from Emerald Mountain, making a simple

room was alive, much like

pregnancy yet, and she wasn't planning to spill the beans anytime

experience, all she wanted was a peaceful few months ahead. If the

dinner, Uncle Maddox and Willa came over to check on her, visibly relieved to learn she

those around him, "See, I told you, our Vivienne is no ordinary woman. And with Sasha by her side, how could anything happen to her? You're just worrying too much." Willa Perez didn't