The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Percival glanced over his shoulder at Juliette's quiet approach, noticing only the corner of her hoodie peeking out from behind a potted fern. Sauntering over, he stated matter-of-factly, "Let's grab some breakfast and then it's off to school with your brother." His tone was neutral, unreadable as he reached for Juliette's hand to guide her downstairs. Leopold exhaled a heavy sigh of relief. "So, you're on duty today?"

"Looks like it's my turn," Percival confirmed, earning a jubilant cheer from Leopold. "Finally, a day off. I'm counting on you to handle things here. Good luck!"

Leopold hummed a tune, practically sprinting down the stairs.

Juliette rolled her eyes. "Some godfather you are."

Leopold shot back, "Hey, my greatest achievement is keeping my distance from you troublemakers."

Percival ruffled Juliette's hair. "Your godfather's got a day off. He'll be back soon enough. And don't you start picking up his smooth talk."

Juliette pondered over Percival's words. Leopold's antics didn't seem all that bad, did they?

As Leopold stepped out of the Perez family's home, he took a deep breath. "Is this what freedom feels like?"

The weather was perfect for a day out. Mulling over his plans, he dialed Griffin Martinez's number.

After breakfast, Percival escorted the kids to school, holding a hand of each. Juliette seemed unusually tense, making Percival curious. Yet, before he could inquire, Jasper called out to him, interrupting the moment.

It wasn't until Percival was out of earshot that Juliette turned to Isaiah in panic. "What if Dad talks to our teachers and they spill everything? We'd be doomed!"

Isaiah shook his head. "Stay calm. Dad was about to ask you what's up. Don't confess before anything's even happened."

Though Juliette was the older sibling, Isaiah couldn't help but feel something was off. Could it be a mix-up at birth, making him the actual elder?

Once Percival returned, the siblings had already split up, Juliette brooding by the window and Isaiah engrossed in his tablet, unfazed as usual. "Did you guys fight?" Percival asked, noticing the tension.

Isaiah looked puzzled. "No, why?"

Percival nodded towards Juliette. "She's sulking just like your mom does when she's upset."

Vivienne protested, "I do not! Don't make stuff up!"

Isaiah was astonished. "Mom gets like that too?"

They rarely saw Vivienne lose her temper, her presence at home limited as it was.

Percival left them guessing, focusing on the drive to school.

Juliette, seeing the school building approach, prayed silently, "Please, just this once, spare me."

Isaiah couldn't believe Juliette's sudden faith in divine intervention.

Perhaps her prayers were heard, for they encountered no classmates on their way in.

Relieved, Juliette thought maybe her prayers were answered after all. But

then, she locked eyes w

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someone she'd rather avoid, sending a silent signal to Isaiah.

Percival, missing the exchange, bent

down to address Isaiah's quith 1.st

about Being picked up by both

parents after school, promising they would be there.

Isaiah's bashful smile betrayed his excitement, while Percival found the kids' quirks endearing.

Realizing he'd momentarily neglected Juliette, Percival gently tousled her hair, leading her towards class.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

Caught off guard by his touch, Juliette let herself be guided, dazed.

Reaching the classroom, the students were starstruck by Percival's appearance, wondering whose dad could be so striking.

A bold little one stood up and asked Percival, "Hey, who are you here for?"

Percival just smiled, but when he glanced beside him and saw that two kids had already vanished, his smile dropped in an instant.

The kid looked freaked out by his

sudden change of demeanor, but Percival didn't have time to explain He had barely taken a step forward when he spotted two figures huddled together, whispering about something.

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"Listen, you handle your side, I'll handle mine. Let's not let dad catch on, okay?"

Juliette had no clue Percival had overheard her secret plan. "What's this about keeping secrets from me?"

Percival scooped up a kid in each arm effortlessly. Juliette flailed in the air for a moment, but when she locked eyes with Percival, she went silent.

"Off to class now. I'm gonna have a word with your teacher," Percival said, putting the kids down and turning to leave.

That's when Juliette plopped down on the ground, making a face and kicking her legs out, "Daddy, my tummy hurts!" But it was too late for Isaiah to intervene. Percival was already walking back over.