The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The herbal concoction was brought over, and Vivienne just needed a whiff to identify the ingredients, their primary functions, how effective they were, when they would take effect, and what benefits they held for her...

But, she didn't want to drink it.

She wasn't a fan of taking medicine, something only her mom and Mr. Wolf were privy to.

Vivienne felt her stomach churn at the thought, pinching the bridge of her nose, "Mr. Wolf, can I skip this one? Look at me, do I look like someone who's under the weather?" Percival knew her too well, understanding that his words might not sway her decision. He even anticipated that she might dispose of the medicine at the slightest hint of an opportunity. Only mentioning her mother would do the trick.

"Mom madepromise before we got back, insisting that you can't skip this medicine." Vivienne choked, squinting at Percival with a double meaning, "Mr. Wolf, whose expertise do you trust more, my medical skills or my mom's insistence?" "I trust myself." Percival pursed his lips, a rare blush adorning his handsface, "The other night, I might have gotten a bit carried away. If anything happened to the baby... Vivienne, you know what I mean." Vivienne, || Mr. Wolf's unexpected move caught her off guard.

Knowing how she couldn't resist his softer side, how could she refuse now? Seeing Vivienne silent, Percival chuckled and brought the medicine closer, but before handing it to her, he took it upon himself to sip half of it.

Vivienne froze, watching Mr. Wolf down half the bowl without so much as a grimace.

She couldn't help but laugh and cry at the stime; Mr. Wolf was really going all out to get her to take her medicine.

"Mr. Wolf, this is meant for pregnant women, not a poison test. What good does it do if you drink it?" Percival shook his head, indicating he was fine, "I checked with the pharmacist. These are all nourishing ingredients; it won't harm anyone else who drinks it." Vivienne had no doubts that if drinking this medicine could relieve even a fraction of her difort, Mr. Wolf wouldn't hesitate for a second.

So, what more was there to say? Taking the half-drunk bowl from Mr. Wolf, she closed her eyes and gulped it down.

Percival stared, momentarily stunned.

Fortunately, he had prepared ssugar and cake on the side.

Vivienne took a big bite of the strawberry cheesecake to chase away the bitter taste, then looked up inquisitively, "Mr. Wolf, what are you staring at?" Percival smiled softly, reaching out naturally to wipe a dab of cream from her lips, his eyes filled with endless affection, "I was thinking about when you were a kid. You never liked taking your medicine back then either. Your dad always had toe up with all sorts of tricks to get you to take it." Something flickered in Vivienne's eyes, a hint of mischief, "Mr. Wolf, you didn't start having ideas aboutback then, did you?" Percival's gaze deepened with an undeniable love, "If it weren't for you, I might have dedicated my life to the nation." Vivienne raised an eyebrow, pulling him closer, "That won't do. You can only be mine." Percival clasped her hand, fingers intertwining, "So, I guess I'm quite lucky. Maybe fate decided long ago that you were the one for me." Their eyes locked, and Vivienne's cheeks flushed as expected.

Who says marriage is the graveyard of love? Post-marriage, Mr. Wolf had indeed be much more flirtatious.

Snuggled in Percival's embrace, Vivienne suddenly remembered something she had to do the next day, looking up, "Tomorrow, I need to stop by Dorian's place. With Leopold around, I should be fine on my own. I'm afraid if youe along, Cordelia might spot my pregnancy right away." If they were to keep the news under wraps, they needed to be extra cautious.

Cordelia, with her keen senses and experience, might notice something off about Vivienne's condition.

Percival fell silent for a moment, his expression serious when he finally spoke, "Let Thomas apany you. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease." Vivienne nodded.

For Mr. Wolf to even suggest this was already a significantpromise in her eyes.

The next morning, Thomas was already waiting at the door. Vivienne grabbed her bag, ready to head out when Percival called her name.

Turning around, she saw Mr. Wolf holding out a thick coat, insisting on helping her put it on, "It's a few degrees colder than last night. Don't catch a cold." Vivienne eyed her already layered attire and then the moderately chilly weather outside, nodding in agreement.

Percival then handed her a thermal bag, "Here's scalming soup and sfresh fruits. Have sif you get hungry on the way." Vivienne, ".

|| Was all this fuss really necessary just because she was pregnant, treating her like a national treasure? Dressed and with the "snack pack" in hand, Vivienne looked at Percival, "I'm off then?" Percival nodded, watching her leave.

Before heading to the Brooks family, Vivienne made a detour to the lab.

She handed over a jade pendant she received from Delilah to Brody for aprehensive check-up, thinking it was the only new item that had appeared recently.

Arriving at the Brooks family, Leopold was already there waiting.

Noticing Vivienne carrying a food container, he sneakily glanced at it, "Vivienne, what tasty treats did you bring?" "Do you want some?" The mention of food brightened Leopold's eyes, "Really? Can I?" Vivienne handed him the half-eaten fruits, "Finish it all, don't waste." Curious, Leopold opened the container impressed by the delicacy of the fruits, "These look exquisite. Where'd you buy them? I should get sfor Griffin too; eating fruits in autumn is good for the health." Vivienne shot him a look, "Don't talk while you eat." With the house seemingly empty, Vivienne glanced at Leopold. Leopold, munching on a strawberry, gestured towards a room. Vivienne approached and knocked.

The door creaked open, and there stood Delilah, dark circles under ber eyes betraying her sleepless nights. She mustered a weary smile upon seeing Vivienne. "Vivienne, you're here. I'm sorry to trouble you again." ñovels Vivienne's voice was calm, almost soothing. "How has Flynn been these past few days?" The mention of Flynn seemed to open a floodgate in Delilah, her eyes instantly brimming with tears. "Flynn... he had another episode last night. It was a rough night, and now he's even more reclusive." "I'll go check on him." Delilah nodded gratefully at Vivienne's words and stepped aside, leaving the room.

Inside, the atmosphere was heavier than before. Vivienne quietly closed the door behind her and made her way to the corner where a shadowy figure huddled.

"Flynn, it's me," she said gently.

The figure stirred slightly, a sign that Vivienne's presence wasn't entirely unwee.

Knowing his current state of heightened wariness, Vivienne didn't push. She sat down nearby, giving him space to get used to her presence.

Once she felt the resistance from him wane, she softly offered, "Letcheck your pulse." The figure on the floor instinctively shook his head.

Vivienne stayed where she was, her voice even more serene, "Remember what you promised me." That seemed to hit a nerve. The figure curled up tighter, his voice weak and raspy, "Just... go." mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1