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, her vision slightly

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

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

to explain,

his lips, "Mr. Wolf,

"I missed you."

words left Percival

asking her, "How much did you miss

but

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

in her tracks when

That was...

your head

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

asleep when I checked on the kids earlier.

leaned in for a soft kiss, "I woke

Vivienne blushed.

last night

face, "What's there to be

month, but it felt like an eternity for

missed the

the most important

her husband, should never have

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

into his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent, and looked

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

lips together, suddenly feeling the

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

down at her,

crossing her mind, "Mr. Wolf, we

an eyebrow, "I heard Dad calling the kids by their names. They

"Are

agreement, "Juliette Ellington and

father-in-law, who

with the Linklater family, a kindness he would

names

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

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

head back home for lunch; Grandfather is waiting for

needed to

At noon.

and son, were basking in the sun with the kids in the living room when Percival and Vivienne appeared together, smiles