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 at him,

worry evident on his face as he touched her forehead and sighed, "I told you not to drink too

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

explain, "Vivienne,

a finger on his lips, "Mr. Wolf,

"I missed you."

left

asking her, "How much did you miss

answer with words but with actions,

room, Vivienne looked at the empty space beside her, feeling the dream of last night was incredibly real.

to leave the room, but stopped dead in her

That was...

your head still

attire, entered from outside, realizing that Vivienne was still feeling the

asleep when I checked on the kids earlier. I was

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

Vivienne blushed.

night

her face, "What's there to be afraid of?

a month, but it felt like an eternity

had missed

most important moment in Vivienne's

her husband, should

long as Mr. Wolf was back, everything was worth

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

aware of my condition and knows

suddenly feeling the

only one who thought seeing Mr. Wolf last night

laughter, Percival looked down at her, whispering in her ear, "What's

thought crossing her mind, "Mr. Wolf, we need

calling the

"Are you

"Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How do they

nursery with his father-in-law, who had insisted on those names for a good ten minutes before Vivienne woke

kids had been safe and sound with the Linklater

names were his

their parents loved each other and hoped they would also support and care for

the names, narrowed her eyes but didn't object since

should head back home for lunch;

indeed needed to reassure

At noon.

the sun with the kids in the living room when Percival and Vivienne appeared together, smiles spreading across