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 vision slightly

on his face as he touched her forehead and sighed, "I told you

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 that could melt hearts. Vivienne truly believed she was

to explain, "Vivienne,

placed a finger on his

"I missed you."

words left Percival

hard, asking her, "How

didn't answer with words but with actions,

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

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

That was...

your head

in casual black attire, entered from outside, realizing that Vivienne was still feeling the effects of the

asleep when I checked on the kids earlier. I was worried they'd be disturbed last night." Vivienne looked up, "Mr. Wolf, when did you

"I woke

Vivienne blushed.

night was...

her face, "What's there to be

it felt like an eternity

missed

most important moment

moment he, as her husband,

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

his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent, and looked up

met 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 night was a

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

mind, "Mr. Wolf,

eyebrow, "I heard Dad calling the kids by their

"Are

in agreement, "Juliette Ellington and Isaiah

who had insisted on those names

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

names

children to know their parents loved each other and hoped they

her eyes but

should head back home for lunch; Grandfather is waiting for

needed to reassure

At noon.

the Linklater family, father and son, were basking in the sun with the kids in the living room when