The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

At the dinner, everyone couldn't help but chuckle and shake their heads. With Willa around, Maddox was definitely under her thumb.

By the time they got back to the Linklater household, night had already fallen.

Sasha made a cup of honey lemon tea and placed it beside Vivienne's bed.

After checking her forehead to ensure she didn't have a fever, Sasha left the room.

Outside, Arthur was visibly uneasy, "Is our daughter really okay? She didn't just drink alcohol, did she?"

Sasha reassured him, "Our girl is all grown up, we can't keep treating her like a child."

Arthur hesitated, wanting to say more but held back since his wife had spoken.

He had no choice but to quell his worries.

Vivienne hadn't fallen asleep yet.

She could hear the voices of the two outside her room.

Strangely, although her head felt a bit woozy, her mind was surprisingly clear.

Clearer than it had ever been.

After the two left, she slowly sat up, drank some water, and went to check on the kids in their room.

She didn't get too close, mindful of the alcohol scent on her.

Seeing the kids holding hands even in their sleep softened something deep within her.

If Mr. Wolf saw this, would he be more moved than she was?

His heart had always been set on Natalia's kids, and now they were right here before him.

With the moon high in the sky, Vivienne sat in the next room for a few minutes before returning to her own.

Just as she was about to sleep, the door suddenly opened, and a shadow quietly entered.

The moment Vivienne sensed the presence, her body reacted faster than her mind, her hand lifting a silver letter opener in defense. But she froze upon recognizing the figure.

Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the person.

So familiar.

Her body tensed slightly, "Mr. Wolf!"

Percival's eyes were clear and bright, "Vivienne, it's me."

Feeling the effects of the alcohol surge, Vivienne gazed at him, her vision slightly blurred.

Percival came over, worry evident on his face as he touched her forehead and sighed, "I told you not to drink too much."

Feeling the warmth from Mr. Wolf, Vivienne could only believe this was a dream, her hands naturally wrapping around his neck. Her eyes conveyed deep emotions, captivating, "If I don't drink, how could I see you?" Percival smiled, his eyes softening in a way that could melt hearts. Vivienne truly believed she was dreaming of him.

He started to explain, "Vivienne, actually I..."

Vivienne placed a finger on his lips, "Mr. Wolf, don't speak."

"I missed you."

Those words left Percival speechless.

He swallowed hard, asking her, "How much did you miss me?"

Vivienne didn't answer with words but with actions, following her instincts.

The next day, as the light filled the room, Vivienne looked at the empty space beside her, feeling the dream of last night was incredibly real. Unfortunately, it was just a dream.

She rubbed her temples, getting ready to leave the room, but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a silhouette by the window. She couldn't be mistaken!

That was...

"Is your head still hurting?"

Percival, dressed in casual black attire, entered from outside, realizing that Vivienne was still feeling the effects of the alcohol.

He placed medicine and water on the bedside table, "You were asleep when I checked on the kids earlier. I was worried they'd be disturbed last night." Vivienne looked up, "Mr. Wolf, when did you wake up?"

Percival leaned in for a soft kiss, "I woke up when you came to me last night."

Vivienne blushed.

So, last night was... real.

Understanding her blush, Percival caressed her face, "What's there to be afraid of? We're married, and besides, I like your passion."

It had been a month, but it felt like an eternity for him.

He had missed the kids' birth.

And the most important moment in Vivienne's life.

The moment he, as her husband, should never have missed.

Vivienne didn't care about any of that. As long as Mr. Wolf was back, everything was worth it.

She snuggled into his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent, and looked up at him, "Do my parents know?"

Percival nodded, "I've met with them. My master is aware of my condition and knows I've been waking up recently."

Vivienne pressed her lips together, suddenly feeling the urge to laugh.

So, she was the only one who thought seeing Mr. Wolf last night was a dream.

Hearing Vivienne's laughter, Percival looked down at her, whispering in her ear, "What's so funny?"

Vivienne shook her head, a thought crossing her mind, "Mr. Wolf, we need to decide on the kids' names."

Percival raised an eyebrow, "I heard Dad calling the kids by their names. They sound good."

Vivienne squinted, "Are you sure?"

Percival hummed in agreement, "Juliette Ellington and Isaiah Ellington. How do they sound?"

Truth be told, he had spent the morning in the nursery with his father-in-law, who had insisted on those names for a good ten minutes before Vivienne woke up.

The kids had been safe and sound with the Linklater family, a kindness he would always remember.

The middle names were his addition.

He wanted the children to know their parents loved each other and hoped they would also support and care for each other in the future.

Vivienne, hearing the names, narrowed her eyes but didn't object since Mr. Wolf had chosen them.

"That settles it, then. We should head back home for lunch; Grandfather is waiting for news." Percival nodded.

He indeed needed to reassure everyone at home.

At noon.

As usual, the Linklater family, father and son, were basking in the sun with the kids in the living room when Percival and Vivienne appeared together, smiles spreading across their faces.

Vivienne explained their visit to

Yorick, who stroked his beard and

nodded, "They say fortune and

disaster are two sides of the same

coin. Now that the Ellington family's troubles are behind them, what remains is peace."

Arthur agreed.

That catastrophe had been devastating for the Ellington family.

Thankfully, everyone was safe. Otherwise, knowing his daughter's temperament, it wouldn't have ended there.

Arthur was lost in thought when suddenly a familiar voice called out, "Dad."

He looked up to see Percival standing before him, a smile on his face, reaching out, "Hand her over to me!"

Arthur was momentarily stunned as Juliette was swept out of his arms!

That was Juliette, his precious granddaughter whom he had held since her birth.

The surprising part was that the little one didn't even fuss. Instead, she happily extended her tiny arms towards Percival.

It was as if he, her grandfather, had been completely forgotten.

It just goes to show, in front of her dad, her grandpa was yesterday's news.

Hmph, Arthur thought. He'd like to see if Juliette would stay this calm and collected once they hit the road.

Compared to her brother Isaiah, who was always so well-behaved, Juliette had been a handful since day one. If she was happy, she wouldn't let you put her down, and if she wasn't, the whole house knew. The mere sound of her wailing would send the staff scurrying for cover, praying not to be the one chosen to calm her down.

Percival, now juggling Isaiah on one side and cradling his daughter in the other, looked down at Juliette's face, so reminiscent of Vivien

adoration in his eyes was unmistakable, "Do you like daddy?"

swnove

Juliette blinked her big eyes, not understanding the words but feeling an innate closeness to him.

She opened her little mouth and blew Percival a kiss.

The smile in Percival's eyes deepened. She was so much like Vivienne it was uncanny.

As the pair walked away without a backward glance, Arthur felt a pang of something missing. He called out, "Hey, are you guys coming back tonight?"

Vivienne turned to look at him, a smirk on her face, "Are you missing me, or are you missing your granddaughter?"