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,

on his face as he touched her forehead

Her eyes conveyed deep emotions, captivating, "If I don't drink, how could I see you?" Percival smiled, his eyes

started to explain, "Vivienne, actually

on his lips, "Mr. Wolf, don't

"I missed you."

left Percival

asking her, "How

words but with actions, following

Vivienne looked at the empty space beside her, feeling the dream of last

leave the room, but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a silhouette by the window. She couldn't

That was...

head still

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

table, "You were asleep when I checked on the kids earlier. I was worried they'd be disturbed last night." Vivienne looked up, "Mr. Wolf, when did you wake

woke up when you came

Vivienne blushed.

last night

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

month, but it felt like an

missed

important moment in Vivienne's

moment he, as her husband, should

care about any of that. As long as Mr. Wolf was back, everything was worth

scent, and looked up at him, "Do my

met with them. My master is aware of my condition and knows I've been waking up

her lips together, suddenly feeling the

one who thought seeing Mr. Wolf last night was a

down at her, whispering in her ear, "What's so

head, a thought crossing her mind, "Mr.

calling the kids by their names. They sound

"Are you

"Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How do they

his father-in-law, who had insisted on those names for a good

been safe and sound with the Linklater family, a

middle names were his

hoped they would also support and

eyes but didn't

head back home for lunch; Grandfather is

indeed needed to reassure everyone at

At noon.

usual, the Linklater family, father and son, were basking in the sun with the kids in the living room when Percival and Vivienne appeared together,