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."
chin on Vivienne's shoulder, threading his hands around her waist to
pale and slender, stood
slightly, reflecting his refined profile. "Mr. Wolf,
not denying it. Vivienne always had a knack for detecting
and offered it to her lips. "It's alright; today, I
she took
arms around Percival's
cheer up. I'm sharing my
aback for a
share her strawberry cheesecake, how could he afford to stay
back and gently pecked Vivienne's lips, a fleeting touch that didn't cross boundaries. Some kisses convey deep love without the need for
stepped out and caught this tender moment. He sighed
someone meant, while this 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
to
affection, whether it's familial, romantic, or
Vivienne hadn't spent much time with Willa, she felt
It seemed
his chair, pondering for a moment, then said, "You know, now that you mention it,
stunned, nearly retreating entirely into Percival's embrace without realizing it. "What? How
made her sit properly. "You, stop pawing at my niece in front of me, or I'll skin you alive!" Pure
Uncle Maddox. Next time, I'll tell Grandpa that you won't let me marry
of context; that's outright
the topic. "Uncle Maddox,
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