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

worry evident on his face as he touched her forehead and sighed, "I

was a dream, her hands naturally wrapping around his neck. Her eyes conveyed deep emotions, captivating, "If I

started to explain, "Vivienne, actually

on his

"I missed you."

words left Percival

hard, asking her, "How much did you miss

answer with words but with

space beside her, feeling the dream of last night

temples, getting ready to leave the room, but stopped dead in her

That was...

your head

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

bedside table, "You were asleep when I checked on the kids earlier. I was worried

a soft kiss, "I woke up when you came

Vivienne blushed.

last night was...

to be afraid of? We're married, and besides, I

but it felt like an

had missed

most important moment in Vivienne's

moment he, as her husband,

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

his familiar scent,

aware of my condition and knows I've been waking

lips together, suddenly feeling the urge

who thought seeing Mr. Wolf last night was a

at her, whispering in her ear, "What's so

her head, a thought crossing her mind, "Mr.

"I heard Dad calling the kids

"Are

in agreement, "Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington.

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

the Linklater family,

middle names were

wanted the children to know their parents loved each other and hoped they

eyes but didn't object

should head back home for lunch; Grandfather is waiting

needed to reassure everyone at

At noon.

with the kids in the