The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Arthur choked on his words, momentarily unsure of where to throw his support.

Percival stepped in to clear the air, "Dad, Vivienne and I will be back by evening."

Vivienne glanced at him, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Mr. Wolf had awakened and was staying here?

Percival explained, "The house is still a mess, and we haven't got around to getting all the baby stuff. A baby shower after a month isn't too late." Arthur's face lit up, "Right, right, the baby shower! I'll have the invitations sent out immediately. I'll draft them tonight."

His resentment towards Percival dissipated.

He had regrets about his daughter's wedding.

This time, at his grandchildren's baby shower, he was determined to make it right.

The Ellington family.

As Percival and Vivienne entered the living room with the kids, Richard's teacup crashed to the floor.

Despite decades of hardship, his eyes reddened at that moment.

Percival knelt before Richard, his expression somber, "Grandpa, I'm sorry for worrying you."

Vivienne, holding the twins, had a reserved look in her eyes.

Was she overthinking it?

Mr. Wolf seemed different since waking up.

Nathan and Cecilia came down the stairs upon hearing the commotion, tears of joy streaming down their faces at the sight of Percival.

Richard helped him up, sighing, "What's all this? It's good you're awake."

"Your concern should be for Vivienne. She's taken on too much for you."

Percival nodded, looking towards Vivienne with a mix of deep affection and guilt.

But above all, her love for him was undeniable.

Vivienne responded with a smile.

Mr. Wolf was still her Mr. Wolf, unchanged.

Percival looked around and then at Cecilia, "Mom, where's Isolde?"

then back with worry, "Isolde's upstairs. She said she didn't know how

as he glanced towards

Vivienne nodded.

and Mr. Wolf

untie the knot that was

door, listening to the noises below, her

should have been downstairs with

lacked the courage and didn't know how to face her

footsteps outside grew

Isolde's heart raced.

This wasn't her parents.

"Isolde!"

not knocking or coming

casually, yet

bit her lip, unsure how

tightened, her voice trembling, "Brother, I don't want to come out

you don't want to, or

behind the

deepest fears, "You know how I am. Issues need to be addressed. Avoidance only makes things

of color. Percival's

referring to the incident where she had poisoned the

around the subject, especially in front of her, never

had tried to forget,

etched in her mind, haunting her

a shadow clinging to

broke through again, hammering on Isolde's most dreaded nerve, "How have I taught

breathing hitched, and she flung open the

Percival, she couldn't help but burst into tears, shouting,

was the one who added something

verge of collapsing, confessed, "I've never denied it, but I truly don't understand what came over me. I know you all might still suspect me, and I'm aware." "Why won't you

and Cecilia, startled by the commotion,

"Vivienne?"

Mr. Wolf

vented until she collapsed on the ground, gasping for

approach, extending his hand, "I

into the room to sit on a

a glass of water and place it before her, "Drink this, then we'll

up a chair across from her, waiting for her to calm

but her outburst had drained her of energy, leaving her without the emotional

deep breath,