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."

alcohol surge, Vivienne

worry evident on his face as he touched her forehead and

Mr. Wolf, Vivienne could only believe this was a dream, her hands naturally wrapping around his neck. Her eyes conveyed deep emotions, captivating, "If I don't drink, how could I see you?" Percival smiled, his eyes softening in a way that

to explain, "Vivienne, actually

on his lips, "Mr.

"I missed you."

left Percival

swallowed hard, asking her, "How much did

words but with

space beside her, feeling the dream of last night was

but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a silhouette by

That was...

your head

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

kids earlier. I was

woke up when you came

Vivienne blushed.

night

be afraid of? We're married, and besides, I like

but it felt

missed the

important

moment he, as her husband,

As long as Mr.

familiar scent,

aware of my condition and knows I've been

lips together, suddenly feeling the urge to

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

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

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

"I heard Dad calling the kids

"Are you

"Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How do they

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

middle names were

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

hearing the names, narrowed her eyes but didn't

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

needed to reassure everyone

At noon.

family, father and son, were basking in the sun with the kids in the living room