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

touched her forehead and sighed,

emotions, captivating, "If

to explain, "Vivienne, actually

placed a finger on his lips, "Mr.

"I missed you."

left Percival

"How

with words but with actions,

day, as the light filled the room, Vivienne looked at the empty space beside her, feeling the dream of last night was incredibly real. Unfortunately,

stopped dead in

That was...

your head

casual black attire, entered from outside, realizing that Vivienne was still feeling

bedside table, "You were asleep when I checked on the kids earlier. I was worried they'd

soft kiss, "I woke up

Vivienne blushed.

last night was...

her blush, Percival caressed her face, "What's there to be afraid of? We're

it felt like an eternity

had missed the

most important moment in Vivienne's

her husband, should never

long as Mr. Wolf was back, everything was worth

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

aware of my condition and knows

together, suddenly feeling the urge to

was the only one who thought seeing Mr.

down at her,

thought crossing her mind, "Mr.

"I heard Dad calling the

squinted, "Are

"Juliette Ellington and

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

sound with the Linklater family, a kindness he would always

names were his

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

eyes but didn't

then. We should head back home for lunch; Grandfather is waiting for news."

indeed needed to reassure everyone at

At noon.

the sun with the kids in the living room when