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."

of the alcohol surge, Vivienne gazed at him,

on his face as he touched her forehead

"If I don't drink, how could I see you?" Percival smiled, his eyes softening in a way that could melt hearts.

to explain, "Vivienne, actually

finger on his

"I missed you."

left Percival

"How much did you miss

but with actions, following her

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

stopped dead in her

That was...

your head

black attire, entered from outside, realizing that Vivienne was still feeling

and water on the bedside table, "You were asleep when I checked on the kids earlier. I was worried they'd be disturbed last night." Vivienne looked

woke up when you

Vivienne blushed.

night

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

but it felt like an eternity for

had missed the

the most important moment in

he, as her husband,

didn't care about any of that. As long as Mr. Wolf was back, everything was worth

scent, and looked

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

together, suddenly feeling the urge

who thought seeing Mr. Wolf last night was a

laughter, Percival looked down at her, whispering in her

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

Dad calling

squinted, "Are

"Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How do

be told, he had spent the morning in the nursery with his father-in-law, who had insisted on those names for a good ten minutes before Vivienne woke

been safe and sound with the Linklater family, a kindness

middle names were his

know their parents loved each other and hoped they would also

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

should head back home for lunch; Grandfather is waiting

needed to

At noon.

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