The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1124

Vivienne raised an eyebrow in surprise at Juliette's comment. She vaguely remembered Leopold being rather skilled in that area. A bad review, really?

Already flipping through a storybook, Vivienne turned to a page and began to read aloud.

"Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young girl..."

"Her mother had passed away just after giving birth to her, and she lived with her father until he remarried."

Vivienne had barely started the story when Juliette, unable to contain her excitement, cut her off and, becoming more animated, climbed out of bed. "The stepmother was cruel to her, dumping all the household chores on her while pretending to be sweet in front of her father, so he had no idea she was being mistreated."

Vivienne frowned at Juliette, who was energetically narrating the story, aligning perfectly with the storybook and adding vivid imagery.

Isaiah, lying in bed, seemed resigned to his sister's antics, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Mommy, why does the princess lose her shoe while running away? It stayed on all night before that," Juliette puzzled over the part where the glass slipper falls off, unsatisfied with Leopold's previous attempt to explain. Vivienne pondered for a moment. She too had found this plot point illogical as a child, but now, she aimed to please.

"Maybe the shoe got stuck while she was running? The thing she left behind became the prince's only clue to find her, ensuring they ended up together," Vivienne offered, echoing Leopold's explanation.

This time, Juliette nodded in agreement. "You're right, Mommy! That must be it!"

Isaiah, looking horrified as if he'd heard something unspeakable, turned to his sister. "But Mommy said the same thing as Godfather." Vivienne, understanding the situation, realized this must have been what Leopold went through when trying to appease the children.

"So what? Mommy is always right, she wouldn't lie to me!" Juliette shouted, far from ready to sleep.

Isaiah pulled the covers up and turned away, mumbling, "I'm going to sleep, Mommy. I don't need a story. You should rest too."

Vivienne, seeing the dynamic between her children, knew calming Juliette wasn't easy. She kissed Isaiah on the forehead and tucked him in, saying, "Good night."

Juliette quickly pouted, "What about me, Mommy?"

ready to sleep. Aren't you still wide awake?" Vivienne's words sparked a sense of

down and clutching the covers, she said, "What if

Vivienne, amused, agreed.

warm kiss on her forehead, Juliette smiled

only to be enveloped in a warm embrace. Percival's familiar scent surrounded her. "The

the brief contact, instinctively tried to pull away but was gently held

I hold you for a while?" Percival

room? Aren't you afraid someone might see?" Vivienne's concern was

Willa Perez appeared, their amusement

hands off each other, huh? Maybe take it to your room," Maddox teased, his

apologized with a smile, "Don't

no joke. They should

off, claiming he was drunk,

resist advising Vivienne and Percival to be mindful

knew they'd be caught; she just

to Percival, she chided, "I told you. And now Maddox and Willa caught

and still love each other like it's the honeymoon phase," Percival

Once inside, Vivienne playfully

meet his gaze. Sensing her intent, Percival lifted her into his arms,

remarked, noting his improved physique since their

a soft chuckle, taking Vivienne's earlobe into his mouth. "Feels different

smile, had Percival utterly entranced in an

jarring ring of a phone cut through the moment like

the nightstand,

smartphone vibrated incessantly its

lighting up the dark

Vivienne, looking somewhat dazed,