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

came over, worry evident on his face as he touched her forehead and sighed, "I told you not

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

explain, "Vivienne, actually

a finger on his lips, "Mr. Wolf,

"I missed you."

words left Percival

"How much did

but with

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

to leave the room, but stopped dead in her tracks

That was...

head

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

asleep when I checked on the kids earlier. I

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

Vivienne blushed.

last night was...

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

it

had missed the

most important

moment he, as her husband, should

didn't care about any of that. As long as Mr. Wolf was

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

aware of

together, suddenly feeling the urge to

thought seeing

looked down at her,

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

heard Dad calling the kids by their names. They

"Are you

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

who had insisted on those names for a good ten minutes before Vivienne

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

middle names were his

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

names, narrowed her eyes but didn't object since Mr.

head back home for lunch; Grandfather is waiting

indeed needed to reassure everyone

At noon.

kids in the living room when Percival and Vivienne appeared together, smiles spreading across their