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?"

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

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

Vivienne nodded.

she and

untie the

Isolde stood by the door, listening to the noises below, her lips pale

have been downstairs with

how to face her brother

outside grew

Isolde's heart raced.

This wasn't her parents.

"Isolde!"

stood outside, not knocking

out casually, yet earnestly,

lip, unsure

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

sharpened slightly, "Is it that you don't want to, or are you

behind the

fears, "You know how I am. Issues need to be addressed. Avoidance

drained of color.

the incident where she had poisoned the

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

to

haunting her nightly with that voice praising her, "Well

shadow clinging

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

flung open the door separating

couldn't help but burst into tears, shouting, "It

who added

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

by the commotion, were stopped by Vivienne from

"Vivienne?"

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

Isolde vented until she collapsed on the ground, gasping for

then did he approach, extending his

helped her up, guiding her into the room to sit on a

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

up a chair across from her, waiting

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

took a deep breath, "Brother, do you really not blame