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."

of the alcohol surge, Vivienne

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

"If I don't drink, how could I see you?" Percival smiled, his eyes softening

to explain, "Vivienne,

placed a finger on his lips, "Mr. Wolf,

"I missed you."

words left Percival

swallowed hard, asking her, "How much did you

didn't answer with words but

next 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, it was just a

temples, getting ready to leave the room, but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw

That was...

your head

outside, realizing that Vivienne was still feeling the effects of the

on the bedside table, "You were asleep when I checked on the kids earlier.

leaned in for a soft kiss, "I woke up when you came to me

Vivienne blushed.

last night was...

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

a month, but it felt like

missed the

the most important moment

her husband, should never have

about any of that. As long

snuggled into his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent, and looked up

aware of my condition and knows

her lips together, suddenly feeling the

the only one who thought

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

shook her head, a thought crossing her mind, "Mr. Wolf, we need

"I heard Dad calling the kids by their names. They sound

squinted, "Are you

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

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

the Linklater

names were his

each other and hoped they

the names, narrowed her eyes but didn't object since Mr. Wolf had chosen

head back home for lunch; Grandfather is waiting for news." Percival

to

At noon.

basking in the sun with the kids in the living room