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."

surge, Vivienne gazed at him,

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

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

started to explain,

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

"I missed you."

words left

"How much did you miss

but with actions,

beside her, feeling the dream of

temples, getting ready to leave the room, but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a silhouette by the window.

That was...

your head

realizing that Vivienne was still feeling the

checked on the kids earlier. I was worried they'd be

a soft kiss, "I woke up when you came

Vivienne blushed.

night

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

it felt like an eternity

missed the kids'

the most important moment in

her husband, should never have

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

embrace, inhaling his familiar scent, and looked up at

with them. My master is aware of my condition and knows I've been

pressed her lips together, suddenly feeling the urge to

was the only one who thought seeing Mr. Wolf last

down at her, whispering in

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

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

squinted, "Are

in agreement, "Juliette Ellington and Isaiah

with his father-in-law, who had insisted on those names for a good

and sound with the Linklater family,

names were his

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

but didn't object since Mr. Wolf had chosen

should head back home for lunch;

indeed needed to reassure everyone

At noon.

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