The Million-Dollar Heart

The trio stepped into the elevator together.

As they reached their floor, Dorian heard the noise outside and came to open the door, "Vivienne, Percival..."

Upon seeing Thaddeus trailing behind the couple, he raised an eyebrow, "Now, where were you this early morning? Ah, waiting downstairs for your sister, I see. Why didn't you say something? Your mom thought you were oversleeping."

Caught in his little scheme, Thaddeus's face turned a bright shade of red, "Dad... I wasn't sleeping in."

Dorian chuckled and ruffled his son's hair, encouraging him to go and inform Cordelia Wilson of his whereabouts.

"Don't let us start worrying if we can't find you later."

In the living room, Cordelia emerged from the kitchen with a bright smile, "Vivienne, Percival, you've arrived."

Vivienne nodded as she approached, "Cordelia."

Percival set down the gifts they brought, "Dorian, Cordelia, these are some delicacies my in-laws insisted we bring over for you to try."

Dorian, eyeing the elegantly wrapped gift boxes, instinctively refused, "Oh no, we really can't accept these, Vivienne, Percival. Please, take them back."

Cordelia chimed in, "Yes, we're still trying to figure out how to return the last batch Mr. Linklater brought over. If you keep bringing these, we'll lose sleep over it." Percival gave a wry smile, "Cordelia, these gifts were a specific request from my in-laws. If you don't accept them, I'll be the one getting an earful back home." Dorian and Cordelia exchanged helpless glances.

Vivienne had a habit of sending over treats every now and then.

And ever since Arthur learned how to keep his daughter happy, gifts had been arriving even more frequently, much to the couple's dismay.

After repeatedly asking them to stop, things had quieted down for a bit.

And now, it was starting all over again.

Vivienne, pulling Cordelia to sit down, said, "These are just some snacks. Please, accept them, or Mr. Wolf will have trouble explaining himself back home." Convinced by Vivienne's reasoning, Dorian and Cordelia finally relented.

dishes, plus a beautiful

her, "Vivienne, eat up. You're about

Vivienne nodded.

shot Dorian a

quickly served a piece of pork to

a smile,

it off, "No need to thank me. We're all family here. When Vivienne and your kids come along, they'll have

on her pork

at Dorian's shirt under the table, whispering,

"But I

Dorian. You won't have to wait too long

Vivienne, "..."

conversation in the living room,

the drawer and handed it to

tried to return it, "Cordelia, I

Dorian and I consider you our own daughter. It's customary for parents to give

was on a successful trajectory, and the Brooks family had carved out a spot for themselves

were at the bottom of the

million dollars meant little to Dorian now; he could

have been accepted. After much

been saved by Dorian and Cordelia since breaking away from the Hawthorn family, planning for both Vivienne and Astrid's futures. Saving more when possible and less when not. Because of Vivienne, Dorian's first job post-Hawthorn was with Dawson, earning a million a year, allowing him to deposit twenty thousand monthly into the accounts for Vivienne and Astrid. To date,

"I..."

Cordelia, seeing right through her, cut her off, "You have to accept it. We've been saving

Vivienne not to feel

as

to Astrid's dowry,

inside, and she extended her

any further would