The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"Wait till you join us, Uncle Andy is quite the legend!" Juliette's eyes sparkled with excitement as she mentioned Andrew Hawthorn.

It had been ages since she last saw Andrew. When was that again?

Floyd, upon hearing her, ultimately said nothing, just nodded and got into the car.

Before they left, Isaiah grabbed some presents from his room for Andrew, and Vivienne chuckled, "So eager to see your Uncle Andy, huh? What gifts did you bring?" Isaiah pressed his lips together, trying to keep a straight face, "It's a secret."

Laughter filled the car.

By the time Vivienne arrived, Astrid was waiting at the entrance of the neighborhood, stepping forward as she saw the car approaching, "Long drive, huh?"

"Auntie Astrid!" Juliette jumped out of the car and ran to give Astrid a big hug.

Astrid, a bit flustered, managed to hug her back, "Oh, missing me that much?"

"Yeah, really missed you!" Isaiah's smile was a carbon copy of Vivienne's, and every time Astrid saw it, she was immediately reminded of Vivienne. "Auntie," Isaiah greeted Astrid as he got out of the car.

Floyd was the last to get out, hesitating if he should call out to them. Would it be rude to interrupt their happy reunion?

Astrid noticed the boy standing at the back, unfamiliar with Floyd's story, and thus, puzzled about this new child.

"Who's this?" Astrid glanced at Vivienne.

family, goes to school

mustered a smile towards Astrid, "Hi,

although just learning about this, smiled back politely at the well-mannered boy, finding him somewhat

inside. Andy came home early from school today knowing you'd be coming," Astrid

and Dorian were busy in

Vivienne barely announced when two figures peeked out

be tired after such a long drive. Dinner will be ready

unison, their voices turning the kitchen into a

his room, his appearance immediately catching

Andy!" Juliette ran over

you been? Looks like you've been eating well," he remarked, pinching

crush of many girls at school

handsome Uncle Andy was, much to her father Percival's chagrin, who seldom received such compliments from his

lab invitation inside the gift box. "Isaiah, where did you get this?"

hard to suppress a grin, simply replied, "Glad you like

exchange didn't go unnoticed, leaving everyone in admiration of

to the kitchen to finalize dinner preparations, leaving Dorian to

whispered to Vivienne, "Are you sure it's okay to

some of our projects. Plus, the kids like him." Understanding

in a chess game, Vivienne couldn't help but smile at the sight, knowing full well the outcome given who was playing. Shaking her