The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

At the dinner, everyone couldn't help but chuckle and shake their heads. With Willa around, Maddox was definitely under her thumb.

By the time they got back to the Linklater household, night had already fallen.

Sasha made a cup of honey lemon tea and placed it beside Vivienne's bed.

After checking her forehead to ensure she didn't have a fever, Sasha left the room.

Outside, Arthur was visibly uneasy, "Is our daughter really okay? She didn't just drink alcohol, did she?"

Sasha reassured him, "Our girl is all grown up, we can't keep treating her like a child."

Arthur hesitated, wanting to say more but held back since his wife had spoken.

He had no choice but to quell his worries.

Vivienne hadn't fallen asleep yet.

She could hear the voices of the two outside her room.

Strangely, although her head felt a bit woozy, her mind was surprisingly clear.

Clearer than it had ever been.

After the two left, she slowly sat up, drank some water, and went to check on the kids in their room.

She didn't get too close, mindful of the alcohol scent on her.

Seeing the kids holding hands even in their sleep softened something deep within her.

If Mr. Wolf saw this, would he be more moved than she was?

His heart had always been set on Natalia's kids, and now they were right here before him.

With the moon high in the sky, Vivienne sat in the next room for a few minutes before returning to her own.

Just as she was about to sleep, the door suddenly opened, and a shadow quietly entered.

The moment Vivienne sensed the presence, her body reacted faster than her mind, her hand lifting a silver letter opener in defense. But she froze upon recognizing the figure.

Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the person.

So familiar.

Her body tensed slightly, "Mr. Wolf!"

Percival's eyes were clear and bright, "Vivienne, it's me."

surge, Vivienne gazed at him, her

touched her forehead and sighed, "I told you

was a dream, her hands naturally wrapping around his neck. Her eyes conveyed deep emotions, captivating, "If I don't drink, how could

started to explain,

finger on his

"I missed you."

left

asking her, "How

words but with actions, following her

empty space beside her, feeling the dream of last night was

but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw

That was...

head still

casual black attire, entered from outside, realizing

the kids earlier. I was worried they'd be disturbed last

soft kiss, "I woke up when you

Vivienne blushed.

night was...

"What's there to be afraid of? We're married, and besides, I like

month, but it felt

missed

important moment in

he, as her husband, should

any of that. As long as Mr. Wolf was

into his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent, and looked up at him, "Do my

is aware

suddenly feeling

only one who thought seeing Mr.

down at her,

"Mr. Wolf, we need to decide on the kids'

eyebrow, "I heard Dad calling the

squinted, "Are you

in agreement, "Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How do

be told, he had spent the morning in the nursery with his father-in-law, who had insisted on those names for a good ten minutes before Vivienne

kids had been safe and sound with the

middle names

to know their parents loved each other and hoped they would also support and care for each other in the

but didn't object since Mr. Wolf

settles it, then. We should head back home

needed to reassure everyone at

At noon.

family, father and son, were basking in the sun with the kids in the living room when Percival and Vivienne appeared together, smiles spreading across their