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

he touched her forehead and sighed, "I

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,

explain, "Vivienne, actually

finger on his lips,

"I missed you."

words left Percival

hard, asking her, "How much

words but

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

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

That was...

your head

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

"You were asleep when I checked on the kids earlier. I was worried they'd be disturbed last

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

Vivienne blushed.

night was...

be afraid of? We're married, and

month, but it felt like an

missed the

the most important moment in

he, as her husband, should never

long as

snuggled into his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent, and looked up at him, "Do my parents

is aware of my condition and knows I've been waking

her lips together, suddenly feeling

only one who thought seeing Mr. Wolf last night

Vivienne's laughter, Percival looked down at her, whispering in her

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

calling the kids

squinted, "Are you

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

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

with the Linklater

middle names were his

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

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

then. We should head back home for lunch; Grandfather is

to

At noon.

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