Outside, Vivienne wasn't eavesdropping on the conversation; she just happened upon it quite by chance.
Who would have thought that Maddox, the proverbial prodigal son, would be so out of his depth in front of Willa?
Their chat was all kinds of odd.
Peering through the glass, Vivienne observed Willa.
Willa seemed oblivious to matters of the heart as if she had no clue what feelings really were.
Toward Jasper, it wasn't kinship but a gratitude that had to be repaid.
Toward Maddox, there was a vague sense of romance, yet she could not fully comprehend it.
She wasn't obsessed with being the Perez heiress like Diana, nor did she harbor an unswerving affection for someone like Vivienne did for Percival.
Even the most obtuse wouldn't be this clueless, right?
"What are you thinking about?"
Behind her, Percival suddenly appeared, carrying a box of strawberry cheesecake.
Vivienne turned and leaned half against him, gesturing lazily toward the hospital room. "They're playing lovey-dovey in front of my mom."
Percival wrapped one arm around Vivienne's waist and sat down, planting her securely on his lap.
"No, they haven't fallen for each other yet. There's no lovey."
Vivienne chuckled. "If Uncle Maddox heard you say that, he would hold a grudge."
alright, we're family." Percival rested his chin on Vivienne's shoulder, threading his hands around
stood
Vivienne's bright eyes lifted slightly, reflecting his refined profile. "Mr.
not denying it. Vivienne always had a knack
lips. "It's alright; today, I moved Flynn, and he asked about Grandpa's
took his wrist
around Percival's neck, enveloping
I'm sharing my strawberry
aback for a moment
strawberry cheesecake, how could he afford to stay downcast? "Yeah, I'm already
head back and gently pecked Vivienne's lips, a fleeting touch that didn't cross boundaries. Some kisses convey
caught this tender moment. He sighed
twenty-something-year-old girl was already in the throes of cuddles and endearments. What a cruel twist of fate! Vivienne remained seated on Percival's lap, nibbling on the cheesecake he fed her, and asked, "Uncle Maddox, was Aunt Willa always
snapped back to attention.
understanding affection, whether it's
Vivienne hadn't spent much time
had her own approach to people. It seemed
in his chair, pondering for a moment, then said, "You know, now that you mention it, Willa was much worse as
into Percival's embrace without realizing it.
Vivienne from Percival's embrace and made her sit properly. "You, stop pawing at my niece in front
tell Grandpa that you won't
things out of
Maddox back to the topic. "Uncle Maddox, you're
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