The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Leopold couldn't shake the feeling that something major had happened for Vivienne to rush back so suddenly. "No way," Draven said, his face unreadable, giving nothing away.

Leopold furrowed his brows, "If it wasn't about Percival, why the sudden urgency to report to Vivienne?"

"The boss just instructed to refocus our efforts on Rivenwood for now, that's all I can say."

With that, Draven turned and left, leaving Leopold in a daze.

Refocus on Rivenwood? What did that mean? Had they stopped looking for Percival, or...

A sinking feeling took hold of Leopold. Was it possible that Percival was truly gone?

"Dad, what are you mumbling about all by yourself?"

Turning around, Leopold saw two little ones rubbing their eyes and looking at him, a lump forming in his throat as he forced a smile, "Dad was just thinking about letting you sleep in a bit longer."

Juliette showed him her smartwatch with an exasperated look, "Dad, if you keep 'calculating,' we're going to be late for school."

Isaiah glanced at the time and headed towards the dining room, "We've got time for breakfast, let's go."

As Juliette prepared to tug Leopold along, he suddenly remembered, "Oh, Vivienne's back, she's in the living room. You probably didn't know."

"Mom's back?" The kids paused, then dropped Leopold like a hot potato and ran towards the living room.

Watching their synchronized action, Leopold felt another wave of emotions. He took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. Percival, don't worry. I'll make sure Juliette and Isaiah are well taken care of, safe from any harm or injustice. While the kids were having breakfast, Vivienne approached Leopold, gesturing for him to sit down, "Leopold, give me your hand."

Grandpa just made me drink some herbal concoction, it's

she wasn't buying it, and Leopold

for a while. I'll prepare something more suitable, and

him or not, "Vivienne... you mean I'm

her breakfast sandwich, "Dad, are you doubting

a panic, Leopold quickly clarified, "Of course not,

your grandfather got is too strong and some of it clashes. You don't

his earlier panic, sighed in relief,

like that medicine wasn't entirely your grandfather's idea,

got married.

was his grandfather's suggestion, claiming the medicine worked

worrying too much. Griffin's

a

"Dad, if mom was going to leave you, she wouldn't have waited five

To their mom, besides her work, there

as long as he was healthy, that was all that mattered. He

isn't always a physical issue. Stress

ever hopeful, inquired about the effectiveness of the new

a moment, "Your body should adjust in a couple of months, but as for

were beyond her control. She knew Griffin was currently engulfed in a project for the Martinez family, developing a new weapon, and wouldn't be available

situation, Leopold felt a

school, Vivienne's calm demeanor in contrast to Draven's cryptic message weighed heavily