The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Arthur choked on his words, momentarily unsure of where to throw his support.

Percival stepped in to clear the air, "Dad, Vivienne and I will be back by evening."

Vivienne glanced at him, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Mr. Wolf had awakened and was staying here?

Percival explained, "The house is still a mess, and we haven't got around to getting all the baby stuff. A baby shower after a month isn't too late." Arthur's face lit up, "Right, right, the baby shower! I'll have the invitations sent out immediately. I'll draft them tonight."

His resentment towards Percival dissipated.

He had regrets about his daughter's wedding.

This time, at his grandchildren's baby shower, he was determined to make it right.

The Ellington family.

As Percival and Vivienne entered the living room with the kids, Richard's teacup crashed to the floor.

Despite decades of hardship, his eyes reddened at that moment.

Percival knelt before Richard, his expression somber, "Grandpa, I'm sorry for worrying you."

Vivienne, holding the twins, had a reserved look in her eyes.

Was she overthinking it?

Mr. Wolf seemed different since waking up.

Nathan and Cecilia came down the stairs upon hearing the commotion, tears of joy streaming down their faces at the sight of Percival.

Richard helped him up, sighing, "What's all this? It's good you're awake."

"Your concern should be for Vivienne. She's taken on too much for you."

Percival nodded, looking towards Vivienne with a mix of deep affection and guilt.

But above all, her love for him was undeniable.

Vivienne responded with a smile.

Mr. Wolf was still her Mr. Wolf, unchanged.

Percival looked around and then at Cecilia, "Mom, where's Isolde?"

Cecilia glanced at her husband, then back with worry, "Isolde's upstairs. She said she didn't know how to face you."

Percival's expression tightened as he glanced towards Vivienne, "I'll go see her."

Vivienne nodded.

Both she and Mr. Wolf knew.

Only he could untie the knot that was Isolde.

Upstairs, Isolde stood by the door, listening to the noises below, her lips pale from nervousness.

She should have been downstairs with her parents.

But she lacked the courage and didn't know how to face her brother after what had happened.

The footsteps outside grew closer.

Isolde's heart raced.

This wasn't her parents.

"Isolde!"

Percival stood outside, not knocking or coming too close.

Just calling out casually, yet earnestly, "Let's talk."

Isolde bit her lip, unsure how to respond.

Her hands tightened, her voice trembling, "Brother, I don't want to come out right now."

Percival's tone sharpened slightly, "Is it that you don't want to, or are you afraid?"

Isolde trembled behind the door.

Percival continued, his words striking her deepest fears, "You know how I am. Issues need to be addressed. Avoidance only makes things worse." "Did you do it?"

Isolde's face drained of color. Percival's words frightened her.

She hadn't misheard. He was referring to the incident where she had poisoned the family's food.NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.

For a month, the family tiptoed around the subject, especially in front of her, never mentioning it.

She had tried to forget, but couldn't.

That day's scene was etched in her mind, haunting her nightly with that voice praising her, "Well done!"

Like a shadow clinging to her, inescapable.

Percival's voice broke through again, hammering on Isolde's most dreaded nerve, "How have I taught you, to act without owning up?"

Isolde's breathing hitched, and she flung open the door separating her from reality.

Facing Percival, she couldn't help but burst into tears, shouting, "It was me!"

"I was the one who added something to the food..."

Isolde, on the verge of collapsing, confessed, "I've never denied it, but I truly don't understand what came over me. I know you all might still suspect me, and I'm aware." "Why won't you believe me, why won't you..."

Nathan and Cecilia, startled by the commotion, were stopped by Vivienne from intervening.

"Vivienne?"

Vivienne glanced upstairs, "Mom, Dad, Mr. Wolf knows what he's doing."

Percival watched silently as Isolde vented until she collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.

Only then did he approach, extending his hand, "I believe you!"

He helped her up, guiding her into the room to sit on a chair.

Isolde, still in shock, saw Percival turn to pour her a glass of water and place it before her, "Drink this, then we'll continue."

He pulled up a chair across from her, waiting for her to calm down.

Under his gaze, Isolde felt uneasy, but her outburst had drained her of energy, leaving her without the emotional turmoil.

After sipping the water, she took a deep breath, "Brother, do you really not blame me?"

Percival, calm, asked her in return, "If I had done the same, would you blame me?"

Isolde paused, understanding his intent to comfort.

Yet, looking into his eyes, she affirmed, "No, you're my brother."

Percival smiled slightly, patting her head. He had been unconscious for a month, and it was evident how she had struggled through it. She had lost nearly half her weight.

He pursed his lips, leaning forward

with rare seriousness, "Not just me, but mom, dad, and grandpa wouldn't blame you either. Isolde, don't punish yourself for someone else's mistakes. This is not your fault."

"The guilty one is already dead!"

His last words carried a chilling edge.

That person, the one responsible for Vivienne's premature birth and the endless suffering of her family.

Death would be too easy for them.

When her big brother woke up, the weight that had been pressing on Isolde's heart seemed to lift slightly Hearing him talk like this, the

shadow lurking in her mind

appeared to be fading away-vel.ne

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She nodded, "Vivienne mentioned this to me before, but at that time, you and mom and dad were all unconscious, and I was scared."

Percival reassured her, "Look at me,

I'm fine now, there's nothing to be afraid of. If you can't forget what happened, then don't forget. Just remember that you have us behind you, and there's nothing to fear."

The dark clouds in Isolde's heart started to dissipate, bit by bit.

That's right.

The more she tried to forget those memories, the clearer they became.

If she couldn't forget, it was better to take it as a cautionary tale rather than cowardly hide it away.

Seeing her still hesitant, Percival stood up, "Come on, let's go downstairs, Vivienne is waiting for you."

Isolde hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

Percival saw it clearly and stopped to ask her, "Why are you afraid to go down? Is there something else bothering you besides your fear of me?"