The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"How's it going, Doc?" Leopold was the first to rush over and ask the doctor about the situation, his eagerness causing the doctor

to chuckle.

"Mother and child are both safe and sound," the doctor announced, just as a nurse was about to hand the baby over for Leopold to

see.

Before the nurse could pass the baby, Leopold zoomed past her, "The baby, he..."

Leopold had no eyes for the baby at that moment; his focus shifted entirely when he saw Griffin being wheeled out.

Griffin, having just given birth, was somewhat conscious and started mouthing words the moment she saw Leopold approaching.

Leopold leaned in to listen, "Does the baby... look ugly?"

At her words, Leopold frowned, just about to go and see what was the matter when Griffin fainted.

His concern for the baby waspletely overshadowed by his worry for Griffin. Grabbing the doctor, he asked anxiously, "Doc, my

wife just fainted. Is she alright? It's nothing serious, right?"

The doctor, still smiling, patted Leopold's hand reassuringly, "Just relax. She's simply exhausted and asleep. She'll wake up once

she's regained her strength. No need to worry."

Godfrey, watching Leopold's concern for Griffin with satisfaction, thought to himself, "Looks like my great-grandson's getting the

cold shoulder, huh?"

The nurse, holding the baby and standing aside, felt a bit disheveled by the family's apparent lack of concern for the newborn. It

was touching to see so much care for the mother, but what about the baby?

It had been ten minutes since she first held the baby, and yet, no one seemed to care...

It wasn't until Griffin was wheeled into her room that Leopold remembered, "Wait, wasn't there a baby?"

He glanced around, saw the baby sleeping in a nearby crib, but didn't go over. Instead, he stayed by Griffin's side, watching her.

Griffin looked pale after the delivery. Leopold took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from her face.

"My beautiful wife, you'd be furious to see yourself like this when you wake up. You've worked so hard, sweetheart."

As Vivienne entered, she was immediately greeted by Leopold's murmuring, which took her by surprise.

It seemed the once unreliable junior brother had grown up, now taking on the roles of a husband and father with more

responsibility.

Noticing her presence, Leopold looked up, "Vivienne, you haven't gone back yet?"

It was already past ten, and they were still there, waiting. Leopold couldn't help but feel touched.

"The kids went back to sleep. | just wanted to make sure Griffin was alright before heading home," Vivienne said, checking Griffin's

pulse.

"Eat something nourishing for blood and energy. Let her rest well theseing days. It’s easy for her emotions to be sensitive

after giving birth. Just be patient with her and show her she’s still loved," Vivienne advised Leopold.

Griffin might seem tough, but postpartum depression isn't a joke. Even though Vivienne knew the Martinez family wouldn't let

Leopold off easily, she still felt the need to remind him.

"Don't worry, Vivienne, | won't let her be unhappy," Leopold promised.

Soon after, Griffin woke up, still a bit dazed as she stared at the ceiling. It took a moment for the pain in her abdomen to remind

her — she'd just had a baby!

"Where's the baby?" she asked.

Hearing Griffin, Leopold looked up, "Awake? Feeling any difort? Hungry? Want something to eat?"

Griffin was warmed by Leopold's concern but was more focused on the baby, "You haven't answered me. Is the baby ugly?"

Leopold was at a loss for words.

"Don’t tellyou haven't actually seen the baby yet."

Of course, Leopold hadn't; he'd even otten whether the baby was a boy or a girl.

After an awkward chuckle, Leopold approached the crib. Seeing the baby's wrinkled face, he couldn't help but frown.

"How did you end up looking like a monkey? Who do you even resemble?"

Carefully picking up the baby, Leopold's undisguised disdain was evident as he closely examined the child, "Why so ugly?"

The baby, waking up to Leopold'sment, immediately started crying, causing him a headache. Despite his cautious approach,

the baby still woke up.

Leopold, now flustered, was quickly relieved when Griffin took over. Miraculously, the baby stopped crying in her arms and soon fell

asleep again.

Griffin waited until the baby was asleep before inspecting the child, agreeing silently about the baby's peculiar looks.

She looked up at Leopold, trying to find any resemblance between him and the baby.

Catching her gaze, Leopold always frowned when looking at the baby, "It's too early to tell who the baby resembles, but if | had to

say, there's a certain monkey-like charm."

Griffin didn't expect such bluntness, fighting the urge to laugh for fear of waking the baby. She sternly told Leopold to stop.

"One more word, and you're out!"

"Alright, alright, I'll stop," Leopold quickly surrendered, raising his hands in a pledge.

Vivienne walked in just in tto witness this amusing scene, "Awake? How do you feel?"

Griffin was surprised to see Vivienne still there, offering a sheepish smile, "Well, it feels like I've lost a lot from my stomach. It's

incredible to think the baby cfrom there."

Vivienne smiled back, "Wee to motherhood. Wishing you a joyful journey! Leopold has done a great job taking care of our two

kids; I'm sure he'll be a wonderful father."

Leopold, unexpectedly praised by Vivienne, blushed but couldn't resist sharing the news in a group chat.

‘Mother and child are safe. Vivienne says I'll be a great dad!"

No sooner had the message been sent out than the group chat exploded with a mix of congratulations and playful jabs.

"First half's sweet, second half's just you being shamelessly self-congratulatory."

e on, Leopold, you know what you're like. Just say you're a great dad and leave it at that. Why drag Vivienne into it?"

"Even on such a joyful occasion, you've got to make it all about you, huh?"

"Brb, gotta confront this clueless new dad on his big day!"

Leopold, watching the flurry of messages with a grin, was too amused to reply. But he couldn't help but think, "Just let them be

jealous!"

Vivienne and Percival, noticing Leopold's goofy grin, were both baffled. "What in the world are you doing? What have you gone and

done now?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just shared the news with everyone. Their well-wishes are makinghappy."

Griffin, still fixated on the baby's face, looked dejectedly at Vivienne. "Vivienne, what are we going to do? How did our baby end up

looking so... indescribable?"

"All babies look like that when they're born. Just look at Juliette and Isaiah's kids."

"But what if someone asks who he looks like? He doesn't resemble either of us."

"Just say he looks like Leopold. Problem solved."

v