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

her forehead and sighed, "I told you not to

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, his eyes softening in a way

to explain,

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

"I missed you."

words left Percival

swallowed hard, asking her, "How

with words but with actions, following

the empty space beside her, feeling the dream of last night was incredibly

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

That was...

your head still

attire, entered from outside, realizing that

kids earlier. I was worried they'd be disturbed last night." Vivienne

soft kiss, "I woke up when you came to me

Vivienne blushed.

night was...

Percival caressed her face, "What's there to be

been a month, but it felt like an eternity

missed

most important moment in Vivienne's

as her husband,

long as

scent, and

aware

her lips together, suddenly feeling

only one who thought seeing Mr. Wolf

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

"Mr. Wolf, we need to

an eyebrow, "I heard Dad calling

"Are you

Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How do they

spent the morning in the nursery with his father-in-law, who

been safe and sound with the Linklater family, a kindness he would always

middle names were his

and hoped

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

settles it, then. We should head back home for lunch; Grandfather is waiting

indeed needed to reassure everyone at

At noon.

sun with the kids in the living room when Percival and Vivienne appeared