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, her vision

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

dream, her 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

started to explain, "Vivienne,

his lips, "Mr. Wolf,

"I missed you."

words left Percival

"How

with words but with actions, following her

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

getting ready to leave the room, but stopped dead in her tracks when she

That was...

head

outside, realizing

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

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

Vivienne blushed.

night

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

it felt like an

missed the kids'

most important moment in

as her

long as Mr. Wolf was

inhaling his familiar scent, and looked

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

suddenly feeling

the only one who thought seeing Mr. Wolf last night

her, whispering in her

her mind, "Mr. Wolf,

calling

"Are

and

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

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

names were his

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

her eyes but

then. We should head back home

indeed needed to reassure everyone

At noon.

with the kids in the living room