The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival froze for a moment, "What's gotten into the master?" Vivienne picked up a spoon and tasted it - soft, mushy, and sweet, Mr. Wolf's craftsmanship.

She pursed her lips, "The master doesn't like eating lotus seeds, no matter how they're prepared." Percival paused, then offered a wry smile, "My oversight." Vivienne looked up at him, understanding in her eyes. This wasn't Mr. Wolf's fault. "Grandpa still holding a grudge?" Percival nodded reluctantly, "Seems like it's finally settled now." Vivienne chuckled and went back to her bowl of sweet porridge.

That night, they stayed with the Perez family.

The next morning, Vivienne was just waking up when she heard rustling noises close by.

She thought it was Mr. Wolf making the sound.

Just as she was about to open her eyes, Zara's finger poked her face, followed by a deliberately softened voice, "Why are you still sleeping, sis? It's already bright outside." Vivienne was speechless.

Was it Natalia and Yasmine? "Yasmine, don't touch!" Natalia Perez whispered a warning, "Brother said sis needs more sleep to get better. What if waking her up now makes her health worse?" Natalia looked sad but retracted her finger, biting her lip, "But Natalia wants to play with sis. It's been so long since you last visited." "That's still no excuse. Sis's health is most important. Do you want to see her get sick?" Whether it was her sister's scolding or genuine sadness, Yasmine Perez's lips quivered, and tears started to fall.

Vivienne couldn't bear it any longer and turned to face them, pretending she had just woken up, "Natalia and Yasmine, sis is up." Seeing that Vivienne was indeed awakened by her, Yasmine couldn't hold back and burst into tears, "Sis, Yasmine didn't mean to. Yasmine doesn't want you to get sick. Being sick is awful." Natalia, caught in the emotional tide, also started crying.

"Sis, don't be mad at Yasmine. It wasn't on purpose." Vivienne was dumbfounded.

Kids' logic was moreplicated than her research.

But since she had inadvertently scared them, it was up to her to soothe them.

"Natalia and Yasmine, don't cry. Sis isn't sick." Both kids wiped their tears and asked in unison, "Really?" Vivienne smiled and nodded.

Yasmine, tilting her head in confusion, asked, "Then why did sis sleep so long?" Vivienne's eyes flickered, "Sis stayed up late last night, so I couldn't get up in the morning." Natalia and Yasmine exchanged a knowing look and voiced out, "Sis, did brother keep you up late playing games?" Playing games? Vivienne was taken aback, not understanding what the kids meant.

Yasmine clarified, "You know, the games only two people can play. When mom can't get up in the morning, dad always takes us away, saying he lost track of tplaying games with mom at night. Isn't it the swith you, sis?" Vivienne was speechless.

Oh Lord, does Uncle Yuri know his kids understand everything? "Vivienne, you're awake." Outside, Percival, dressed in casual dark clothes, returned, bringing with him the crisp morning air. Vivienne felt as though she had seen a lifeline, pressing her temples, "Mr. Wolf, you're finally back!" Percival, seeing her state, chuckled, "I got caught up with grandpa playing chess, sorry for the delay." He then took off his jacket, revealing a bunch of freshly picked flowers, still dewy.

"Wow, such beautiful flowers." Natalia and Yasmine exclaimed in unison, their eyes sparkling.

Percival crouched down and picked out the two most vibrant flowers to give them.

Natalia and Yasmine hesitated, looking towards Vivienne on the bed.

These were meant for her; they couldn't possibly take them.

Vivienne smiled and gestured for them to accept. The kids thanked her and gathered around Vivienne again. "Sis, smell these flowers. Aren't they fragrant?" "And mine too..." Whether it was the pollen or the empty stomach, the next moment, Vivienne felt a surge of nausea.

She leaped out of bed and dashed to the bathroom.

Outside, Percival, alarmed, rushed to check on her but found the door locked from inside.

"Vivienne, open the door. Letin." Vivienne's muffled voice cthrough, "Stay out, Mr. Wolf, I'm fine." The two kids exchanged looks, their faces tense as they ran out.

When Vivienne managed to open the door, Percival was waiting, immediately scooping her back to bed.

After tucking her in, he looked concerned, "I'll call the master over." Vivienne stopped him, taking a deep breath, "Mr. Wolf, it's unnecessary. I'm just having a bit of morning sickness." Percival, still worried after seeing Vivienne's reaction in the bathroom, his eyes filled with concern, "Are you still feeling unwell? I've already thrown away the flowers." Vivienne wanted to say it wasn't the flowers' fault, but considering her current state, any smell could trigger her nausea.

She didn't bother explaining.

After sitting up for a while, she looked around the empty room, "Mr. Wolf, where are Natalia and Yasmine?" Percival glanced at the open door, "They must have gone back. There's a nanny at home; they'll be fine." Vivienne nodded, feeling a bit guilty for not explaining to the kids, probably scaring them earlier.

During breakfast, she decided she would go over and give Aunt Mary a heads up.

Before she could catch her breath, there ca knock at the door followed by the hurried footsteps of Jasper, "Vivienne, what's going on?" "Grandpa!" The sudden appearance of Jasper took Vivienne by surprise. She was about to speak when the sight of a crowd behind him made her swallow her words.

She cleared her throat and addressed the roomful of family members, "Uncle Luke, Uncle Fredrick, Uncle Maddox, Uncle Yuri, and all my aunts, what... brings everyone here?" en.kikistories The last tshe saw the family gathered like this was when her biological mother was reintroduced to the Perez family. What was all this fuss about today? The eldest, Luke Perez, asked with concern, "Vivienne, are you feeling alright? Tell Uncle Luke." Fredrick Perez, the second eldest, chimed in, "Vivienne, Uncle Fredrick knows plenty of good doctors, no need to worry." Maddox, even more direct, said, “Yeah, Vivienne, just tell us what's wrong. Uncle Maddox has already called Finnian, he'll be here soon." Vivienne raised an eyebrow at that.

She gave Maddox a meaningful look.

Thanks a lot, Uncle Maddox.

"Grandpa, Uncle Luke, Uncle Fredrick, I'm really fine, you're worrying over nothing." Zelda Lte, holding the two children, nodded, "Yes, thankfully we were all at home. If something had happened to you, Vivienne, we'd have been scared to death." Natalia and Yasmine twisted their little hands together, heads down, too scared to look at Vivienne.