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 effects of the alcohol surge, Vivienne gazed

came over, worry evident on his face as he touched her forehead and

emotions, captivating, "If I don't drink, how could I see you?" Percival smiled, his eyes softening in a way that could

to explain, "Vivienne,

his lips, "Mr.

"I missed you."

left Percival

asking her, "How

with words but with actions,

light filled the room, Vivienne looked at the empty space beside her, feeling the dream of last night

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

That was...

your head still

outside, realizing that Vivienne was still feeling the

earlier. I was worried they'd be disturbed last

for a soft kiss, "I woke up

Vivienne blushed.

last night

to be afraid of?

month, but it felt like an eternity for

had missed

most important moment in

as her husband, should

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

his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent, and looked

is aware of my

lips together, suddenly feeling

she was the only one who thought

Percival looked down at her,

her head, a thought crossing her mind, "Mr. Wolf, we need to decide on

"I heard Dad calling

"Are

agreement, "Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How do

father-in-law, who had insisted on

and sound with the Linklater family,

middle names

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

her eyes but didn't object since Mr.

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

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