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."

the alcohol surge, Vivienne gazed at him, her vision slightly

he touched her forehead and sighed, "I told you not to drink

deep emotions, captivating, "If I don't drink,

to explain, "Vivienne, actually

on his lips, "Mr. Wolf,

"I missed you."

left

her, "How much did you miss

words but

the empty space beside her, feeling the

her temples, getting ready to leave the room, but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a silhouette by the window. She

That was...

your head still

realizing that Vivienne was still

the kids earlier. I was worried

soft kiss, "I woke up when

Vivienne blushed.

last night

her face, "What's there to be afraid of? We're married,

been a month, but it felt like an eternity for

missed

important moment in Vivienne's

as her

care about any of that. As long

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

met with them. My master is aware

together, suddenly feeling the urge to

was the only one who thought seeing Mr. Wolf last night was

laughter, Percival looked down at her,

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

an eyebrow, "I heard Dad calling the kids

squinted, "Are

agreement, "Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How

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

with the Linklater family, a kindness he would

names were

children to know their parents loved each other and hoped they would

narrowed her eyes but didn't object since

settles it, then. We should head back home for lunch;

needed to reassure

At noon.

were basking in the sun with the kids in the