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?"

worry, "Isolde's upstairs. She said she didn't know how to face

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

Vivienne nodded.

and Mr. Wolf

untie the knot that

Isolde stood by the door, listening to the

have been downstairs with her

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

footsteps outside grew

Isolde's heart raced.

This wasn't her parents.

"Isolde!"

outside, not knocking

casually, yet earnestly, "Let's

her lip, unsure how

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

you

behind the

I am. Issues need to be addressed. Avoidance only makes things worse." "Did

drained of color.

the

the subject, especially

tried to

haunting her nightly with that voice praising her,

clinging to

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

hitched, and she flung open the door separating her from

burst into tears, shouting, "It was

was the one who added something to the

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

the commotion, were

"Vivienne?"

Dad, Mr. Wolf knows

she

he approach, extending his

guiding her into the

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

pulled up a chair across from her, waiting for

his gaze, Isolde felt uneasy, but her outburst had drained her of energy, leaving her without the

deep breath,