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?"

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

expression tightened as he glanced towards Vivienne, "I'll go see

Vivienne nodded.

she and Mr.

could untie the knot that

door, listening to the noises below, her lips pale from

have been downstairs

lacked the courage and didn't know how

outside grew

Isolde's heart raced.

This wasn't her parents.

"Isolde!"

knocking or

casually, yet

her lip,

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

it that you don't want

trembled behind the

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

drained of color. Percival's words

referring to the incident where she had poisoned the

the family tiptoed around the subject, especially in

had tried to

was etched in her mind, haunting her nightly with that voice praising

shadow clinging

dreaded nerve, "How have I taught you, to act without

and she flung open the

couldn't help but burst into

who

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

commotion, were

"Vivienne?"

"Mom, Dad, Mr. Wolf knows what

vented until she collapsed on the ground, gasping for

he approach, extending his hand, "I

into the room to

still in shock, saw Percival turn to pour her a glass of water

from her, waiting for her to

his gaze, Isolde felt uneasy, but her outburst had drained

a deep breath, "Brother, do