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?"

"Isolde's upstairs. She said she didn't know

expression tightened as he glanced

Vivienne nodded.

and Mr.

untie the knot

listening to the noises below, her

been downstairs with

courage and didn't know how to face her brother

footsteps outside

Isolde's heart raced.

This wasn't her parents.

"Isolde!"

not knocking

out casually, yet earnestly,

her lip, unsure

I don't want to come out

sharpened slightly, "Is it that you

trembled behind the

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

color.

referring to the incident where she had poisoned the

month, the family tiptoed around the subject, especially in front of her, never

had tried to forget, but

mind, haunting her nightly with

clinging to

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

breathing hitched, and she flung open the

but burst into tears, shouting, "It was

was the one who added

collapsing, confessed, "I've never denied it, but I truly don't understand what came over me. I know you all might

commotion, were stopped by

"Vivienne?"

glanced upstairs, "Mom, Dad, Mr. Wolf knows what he's

until she collapsed on the ground, gasping for

did he approach, extending his hand, "I believe

guiding her into the room to sit on

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

across from her, waiting

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

sipping the water, she took a deep breath, "Brother, do