The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne nodded wearily.

At this point, she was running on fumes, her mind a blank slate with the sole desire to crash into bed and sleep for an eternity.

Percival wrapped an arm around her and guided her to the car, signaling to Thomas, "Let's hit the road."

Thomas glanced back at the house, noticing Leopold still inside, "Percival, what about Leopold...?"

He had been outside and was clueless about the happenings within.

Snuggled in Mr. Wolf's embrace, Vivienne closed her eyes and murmured, "No need to wait. He's probably over the moon with his lady love, lost in his own world by now."

Thomas was speechless.

Some say ignorance is bliss, and Leopold was living proof, blissfully unaware of his dumb luck.

With Vivienne and Finnian on their side, this plan was bound to succeed without the Sterling family lifting a finger.

Back at their place, Vivienne hurried through a shower, intending to hit the sack, but Percival had other plans. He dragged her to the dining table, "Hold up, eat something first. Your favorite strawberry cheesecake is waiting."

Barely keeping her eyes open, Vivienne's protest died on her lips.

She let Mr. Wolf lead her to the table.

In the end, she was spoon-fed by Mr. Wolf himself, too drained to even lift a spoon.

She slept till the wee hours, waking only to quench her thirst and sift through a work email from Matthew before plunging back into sleep.

The next morning, Vivienne returned from her run, refreshed and energetic.

Upon entering, she heard Mr. Wolf from the kitchen, "Vivienne, you've got a call."

She hummed in acknowledgment, having left her phone at home during her run.

Checking her phone, she called back, "Cordelia, what's up? Is Thaddeus feeling alright?"

I was actually calling to see if you're free lately. I need your help with a

"Medical issue?"

"Who's

wouldn't reach out unless it was someone close in need, but Dorian and Thaddeus were not

need for her

refusal, Cordelia felt even more indebted, "It's

desperate to reach out. The local clinic has given up on the kid, and I had no one else

gratitude deepening, "I'm free anytime,

free today, can make

"Great, no rush. I'll be

up, Vivienne headed to the

alone, effortlessly whipping up her favorite dish, donned in

handling everything on your own, even cooking

eyebrow, "Didn't I please you the other

glancing sideways, "Was it

to make up for the last thirty years all at once?" Percival patted her hand, "Who's playing the victim? Who told

should reflect on whether your past actions led her

lip, suddenly finding the

to escape,

for a kiss, leaving her dazed, whispering,

Vivienne was speechless.

had picked up some

quick rinse, she saw Percival in the living room, phone

she dried her

taking the towel to dry her

fine,

kissed her goodbye, "Say hi to Cordelia and Dorian for me. And remind that boy Thaddeus to lay

at the

these two ended up together, would he regret his

and retorted, "Mr. Wolf, how can you be so sure that

full potential yet, but she was certain he wouldn't just turn out to be an

playfully tapped her on the nose, "You're so biased, my dear. Thaddeus is your brother, but doesn't