The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"Willa, why the heck did you pinch me?" Maddox looked as innocent as a puppy caught chewing on a shoe.

Willa's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red as she glared at him. Her attempt at looking formidable, however, was undermined by an unmistakable hint of bashfulness. "Did you already forget the pep talk I gave you?" Maddox swallowed hard, nodding slightly.

That was all Willa needed to see to know they were in trouble.

Her own choice in a partner, what more could she do? The two stood under the spotlight, basking in the warmth of everyone's well-wishes.

As the ceremony was drawing to its highlight, Jasper handed Willa a list, "Willa, this is what I gave your sister, Sasha, when she got engaged. I've prepared something similar for you. Letknow if there's anything missing." Being a father and a father-in-law, how could Jasper bear to short-change Willa? Tears welled up in Willa's eyes as she took the list. Shaking her head, she managed, "Dad, I don't care about those things. I just want to stay by your side, always." Jasper nodded, visibly moved, gripping Willa's hand, "You're my daughter. I'll treat you no differently. You won't miss out on anything." Willa pressed her lips together, nodding in agreement.

Maddox, standing beside her, was so touched he was nearly in tears.

Jasper looked at him with mock disdain, "It's not your list, son. What are you crying for?" Maddox took a deep breath, "Dad, I regret not being born your daughter. I haven't even seen half of these things." Jasper was momentarily speechless. If it weren't for the solemnity of the occasion, he might have questioned Maddox's common sense.

Sensing Jasper's growing irritation, Maddox hastily wiped away his tear, trying to lighten the mood, "Dad, I was just trying to add a bit of humor... Please, continue." Jasper couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Glancing at Willa, so attentive and respectful, then back at Maddox, who was all smiles and no sense, Jasper sighed. He knew he had to treat Willa even better from now on, "Maddox, from today onwards, Willa is in your care. If I see her shed a single tear, you'll find yourself out of this house." Maddox, looking earnest, turned to Willa, "Dad, believe me, I love Willa even more than I love you." That remark sent the room into an uproar of laughter.

Yuri, the family jester, teased, "Maddox, making promises isn't the sas stabbing our dad in the heart." Zelda Lynette joined in, "Yeah, Maddox, we know you love Willa to the bone, but don't play favorites, or you might find your allowance cut." Luke and Fredrick didn't say a word, but their amusement was evident.

The Perez's finances were a family affair, and Maddox's ventures were small fry compared to Willa's management of the family's assets.

Should Willa ever be upset, they wouldn't wait for Jasper to act; they'd resolve it themselves, ensuring the couple's "emotional exchange" remained uninterrupted.

In their eyes, Willa could do no wrong.

But Maddox? Not so much.

Catching the warning look from his eldest brother, Maddox turned, seeking assurance, "Dad, you wouldn't miss my little contribution, right?" Jasper gave him a sidelong glance, "Useless. I was managing the entire Perez empire at your age. Only because Willa doesn't mind, you should try to step up." Maddox felt a pang of injustice. Business just wasn't his passion.

He turned to Willa, seeking comfort, "Honey, I'll work hard to earn more. Trust me." Willa wasn't concerned about wealth; she knew Maddox's heart wasn't in business. Touching his face, she assured him, "Sweetie, I'll take care of you." With her at the helm of the Perez's vast network, supporting Maddox wouldn't be an issue.

Luke and Fredrick's smiles faltered, seeing something they couldn't quite appreciate.

Was their perception of Maddox so different from Willa's? To her, Maddox's quirks were endearing.

After Jasper concluded the ceremony, the spotlight was on the couple.

Maddox, with a ring prepared for this moment, slid it onto Willa's finger. Looking up, he kissed her passionately, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

Willa's face turned scarlet, extending down her neck.

At the reception, Vivienne couldn't help but indulge in a little too much champagne.

Everyone was cautious, remembering the last tshe drank too much.

Maddox nudged Fredrick, hinting for him to intervene. Anything to avoid a repeat of the past.

Fredrick nearly spilled his wine, glaring at Maddox for even suggesting it.

In the end, Luke stepped up, suggesting, "Vivienne, if you're feeling unwell, you can rest upstairs. Aunt Maria has prepared a room for you." Fredrick chimed in, "Yeah, Vivienne, no need to push yourself. Stay over tonight." Luke gave him a look.

Vivienne set her glass down, insisting, "Uncle Luke, Uncle Fredrick, I'm fine, really.' Everyone remembered her last assurance.

Maddox approached with a bowl of clear soup, "Vivienne, drink this. You know how long I chased Willa. Tonight, I can't..." Vivienne's gaze fixed on him, "Uncle Maddox." Maddox braced himself, sensing trouble. "I'm here." Vivienne's gaze swept the room before she reached into her pocket, pulling out an exquisitely wrapped gift and Kanded it over with a smile. "Here's to you and Willa getting engaged. May you have twins soon to keep Natalia and Yasmine company." Content belongs to en.kikistoriesThe gift was a pair of adorable doll ornaments, one male and one female, both intricately carved from a single piece of crystal, clearly meant for a couple.

Maddox's face lit up with a grin at the sight of the gift, momentarily forgetting the soup he was holding as he eagerly took the present.

"Vivienne, you always know what's in Uncle Maddox's heart. With a bit of your luck, strive to have twins next year too. Then the Perez family will have six little ones running around, making things g Content belongs to en.kikistoriessw Willa, who had been chatting with Sasha at the table, blushed crimson when she heard Maddox's comment. They had just gotten engaged, and now he was already talking about having twins? Vivienne just chuckled in response. The Perez family did seem to have a knack for twins, with Uncle Yuri having had a set himself. She was confident in Maddox's potential.

Instead of dissuading him, Maddox took a seat next to Vivienne, joining her for a drink while trying to coax out the secret to having twins.