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."

Vivienne gazed at him, her

he touched her forehead and sighed, "I told

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 could

explain, "Vivienne, actually

finger on his lips,

"I missed you."

words left

hard, asking her, "How much did you

but with

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

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

That was...

your head still

from outside, realizing that Vivienne was still

I checked on the kids earlier. I was

soft kiss, "I woke up when

Vivienne blushed.

last night was...

caressed her face, "What's there to be afraid of? We're married, and

had been a month, but it felt like an eternity

missed

most important moment

as her husband, should never have

any of that. As long as Mr.

snuggled into his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent, and

aware of my

suddenly feeling the urge to

only one who thought seeing Mr. Wolf last night

laughter, Percival looked down at her, whispering in her ear,

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

calling

"Are you

"Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How do

who had insisted on those names for a good ten minutes

safe and sound with the Linklater family, a kindness

middle names were

the children to know their parents loved each other and hoped

narrowed her eyes but

home

needed to

At noon.

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