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."

alcohol surge, Vivienne gazed

evident on his face as he touched her forehead and

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

explain, "Vivienne,

finger on his lips, "Mr.

"I missed you."

left

"How

didn't answer with words but with actions, following

beside her, feeling the dream of last night

in her tracks when she saw a silhouette

That was...

head

realizing that Vivienne was

asleep when I checked on the kids earlier. I was worried they'd be disturbed last night." Vivienne looked

leaned in for a soft kiss, "I woke up

Vivienne blushed.

last night

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

but it

had missed the kids'

the most important moment in

as her husband, should

about any of that. As long as Mr. Wolf was

his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent, and looked

"I've met with them. My master is aware of my

suddenly feeling the urge to

only one who thought

Vivienne's laughter, Percival looked down at her,

thought crossing her mind, "Mr. Wolf, we need to decide on the

heard Dad calling the kids by their names.

"Are you

agreement, "Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How do

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

safe and sound with the Linklater family, a kindness he

middle names were his

each other and hoped

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

home for lunch; Grandfather is

to reassure everyone

At noon.

family, father and son, were basking in the sun with the kids in the living room when Percival and Vivienne appeared together,