The Million-Dollar Heart

Sasha's eyes twinkled with amusement as she spoke. She put down her pen and stepped forward to greet Winston personally-after all, he was just a little guy.

Winston toddled over, his little legs moving quickly. He was dressed in a British-inspired outfit, a sea-blue striped button-up shirt paired with navy shorts, a blend of retro and fashionable.

He was carrying a bouquet of vibrant roses, each bloom full and bright, their scent filling the air.

Winston could barely hold the bouquet with one hand and had been clutching it with both as he ran over. Now, looking up at Sasha with excitement, he exclaimed, "Auntie, look at the roses I brought for you!"

Sasha's heart swelled with joy at the sight of the flowers, a happy smile spreading across her face. "These don't look like they were bought; they seem freshly cut, so vibrant."

Winston's voice was soft, "They're from our garden. I asked the gardener to cut them especially for you!"

Feeling even more delighted, Sasha took Winston's hand and found a clear glass vase, filling it with water and arranging the bouquet of roses inside.

Arthur, seeing the bright red roses, couldn't help but smile. "This little guy is really sweet with Sasha. Quite the charmer."

Sitting on the couch, Vivienne raised an eyebrow. She had been at the same party and had seen Winston interacting with his mother, pondering for a moment.

Sasha pulled Winston towards Vivienne, her voice gentle, "This is my daughter, Vivienne."

Vivienne was momentarily taken aback by the unusual family dynamics.

Alyssa and Sasha were about the same age.

Winston was Alyssa's younger brother.

Normally, Winston would call Sasha "sister."

a decade older

the oddity, finding it

finally greeted her, a bit

carefully, responding

to Winston's level, asking, "Is

him outside. He had been so caught up since entering and seeing Sasha that he almost forgot. Alyssa was outside, thinking, "Such a thoughtful

"Auntie, my sister and two of

lifted at the mention. "The Alyssa who came

Winston nodded obediently.

was tying a ribbon and frowned, "Didn't I say

gently tugged at his arm, signaling him to

"Since she's here, let's invite her in, along with the staff looking

and fingers clenched. She vividly remembered the disdainful looks

Linklater family's gatekeepers look

slowed, and she

busy with wedding invitations, sealing

were invitations, her

have called him Arthur, but this time

his voice cold, "What are

her pride yet determined to prevent Sasha and Arthur's marriage, let tears fall, playing her part perfectly. "Arthur, was wrong about the party incident. I shouldn't have been swayed by Kate's words and treated Ms. Perez with such hostility. I'm here on behalf

but distant. "Take a seat. I'll have someone bring

response as forgiveness, although it wasn't

looking at Arthur with teary eyes, "Arthur, Sasha has forgiven my indiscretion. Can you not find it in your heart to

an indifferent glance at Alyssa, Arthur's reaction left her scrambling for a seat, her discomfort