The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The moment Augustine and Sebastian hesitantly poked their heads out, Juliette, with the cunning of a fox, lured them over with candy she had prepared in her pocket.

Without warning, she squeezed their cheeks, her joy uncontainable, "Oh, so squishy! Augustine, Sebastian, how can you two be so adorable?" Maddox stood by, laughing as though he had no part in this, while Augustine and Sebastian could only look towards Vivienne for salvation. "Big sis... Big sis." Vivienne squinted her eyes, "Juliette, what do we say?" Reluctantly letting go, Juliette pouted, "Got it." Then, she begrudgingly called them, "Little uncles!" She couldn't wrap her head around it. They were three years younger than her; why should a five-year-old have to call these toddlers her little uncles? Maddox stepped in to speak on Juliette's behalf, "However she wants to call them is fine. They're just kids; no need for formalities." Having someone to keep these two little rascals in line was more than he could ask for.

Juliette's eyes sparkled, "Uncle Maddox is the best. I love Uncle Maddox the most." Maddox's smile widened, "Whatever Juliette likes, Uncle Maddox will get for you." Juliette's eyes shimmered, "I don't want anything. Can I just play with the little uncles for a bit?" Augustine and Sebastian, not yet versed in speech, understood the adults' conversation and widened their eyes in anticipation. They silently waved at their dad for help, but to no avail; he easily "sold" them out.

"Go play, but don't wander too far." The boys looked towards Isaiah.

Juliette caught on instantly, "He's my brother. Whose side do you think he'd be on?" Isaiah remained expressionless, opting out of the childish game.

Augustine and Sebastian, seeing no reason to wait, started toddling towards the yard, with Juliette chasing after them, "You think you can run? Just you wait!" Maddox signaled for someone to follow and keep an eye on them.

Trailing behind, Vivienne asked, "Uncle, how's grandpa doing?" With a sigh, Maddox shared, "Your mom's been handling him these past few days. Grandpa's been quite the handful, getting all cranky. Only Sasha seems to get through to him. Now that he's feeling a bit better, he's refusing his medication." Vivienne pondered for a moment, "Grandpa probably misses mom." Maddox chuckled and nodded, then, as if remembering something, he said, "By the way, I've heard a bit about you and Connor. Is it true?" Raising an eyebrow, she replied, "Really, has the Perez family's informationwork fallen behind? That news should've reached the Perez family by now." Maddox was momentarily speechless, "Uncle Maddox wasn't joking. That man has sconnections with the Perez family. If you think he's alright, why not give it a try? Knowing the background always helps.

"I'm not interested," Vivienne stated plainly.

Maddox caught the underlying message, "So, it's him pursuing you?" Vivienne sighed, "Uncle, I'm not thinking about these things right now." Her responsibilities were vast, and if it weren't for the kids being here, she'd hardly ever return.

After Mr. Wolf's disappearance, she'd taken over his affairs both domestically and internationally.

The Nine Mystics Society hadn't ceased their search for Mr. Wolf. She was pouring all her resources into the search, clinging to any sliver of hope.

Her heart had no room for anything else, least of all romance.

The topic of Percival was tiptoed around for five years, but the truth was laid bare, and denial wasn't changing facts.

People needed to move on, regardless of the pain of loss.

Vivienne paused, "Are you rushinginto marriage, Uncle?" Maddox, finding himself at a loss for words, simply expressed his concern, "Uncle just doesn't want to see you headstrong against a dead end, wearing yourself thin for nothing." She bit her lip, looking down, "I know what I'm doing, Uncle." Maddox sighed, "Alright then. I'll go check on the kids. Don't overthink, and remember, you can talk to Uncle Maddox about anything, okay?" Vivienne nodded slightly, watching Maddox walk away before heading towards Jasper's place.

As she approached, the familial banter between her grandfather and her mother about taking medicine filled the air, aforting reminder of normalcy amidst the chaos of life.

et Jasper gave a hearty nod in agreement, "Exactly. Vivienne already gavethe all-clear. Not like you, making a mountain out of a molehill over a little illness. The medicine is so bitter, I don't want to touch it ever again." en.kikistories Vivienne swiftly changed the subject, "But no matter how fit you are, lying around all day isn't good for you: Grandpa, why don't you go out for a bit? The kids are alkħere after all." en.kikistories Jasper had been itching for a stroll outside, and with Vivienne offering him a way out, he grabbed his walking stick from beside the bed and headed towards the door.

He insisted on going out alone.

He didn't want the kids to see him like this.

Vivienne paused, turning to her mother, "Mom, how's Grandpa really doing?" Sasha pressed her lips together, "There's a chance of relapse, but it's too early to say." Vivienne's gaze hardened slightly, "Grandpa knows, doesn't he?" Sasha's eyes drifted towards the outdoors, a soft laugh escaping her, "Your grandpa has seen it all. He guessed as much, saying life is in the hands of fate, and he won't fight it." Vivienne fell silent for a moment before speaking up, "Grandpa's body can't handle aggressive medication. I'll try acupuncture during his nap." Sasha squinted, "You think you can get your grandpa to listen to you?" Vivienne gave a wry smile, "I have my ways." It was all about playing to the old man's wishes.

That much she knew well.