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.

from the Field family, goes to school

smile towards Astrid, "Hi,

smiled back politely at the well-mannered boy, finding him somewhat

from school today knowing you'd be coming,"

Cordelia and Dorian

two figures peeked out

Cordelia untied her apron, "Must be tired after

the kids chimed in unison, their voices turning the kitchen into a

room, his appearance

Juliette ran over

hug her, "How've you been? Looks like you've been eating well,"

now a middle schooler, had become the crush of many girls

Uncle Andy was, much to her father Percival's chagrin, who seldom received such compliments from his daughter. Isaiah, shy and

the gift box. "Isaiah, where did you get

a grin, simply replied,

didn't go unnoticed, leaving everyone

preparations, leaving Dorian to chat

a toy in the corner, Dorian whispered to Vivienne, "Are you sure it's okay to have him around like

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

Dorian and Percival engaged in a chess game, Vivienne couldn't help but smile at the sight, knowing full well the outcome given who was playing. Shaking her head at Percival's deliberate concessions to Dorian, she thought, "Mr. Wolf sure does go to great lengths