The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival scooped up his child in a swift move, "What's wrong, kiddo? Did breakfast not sit well with you this morning?" "I don't know, but my tummy really hurts." Juliette pouted in misery, looking up at Percival, who sighed in resignation. "Isaiah, you head to class. I'll take your sister to see what's up." With a quick nod to Isaiah, Percival was off to the school nurse's office with Juliette in tow.

Before the other kids could fully grasp the fact that the dashing dad was Juliette and Isaiah's father, Percival had already vanished from their sight.

"OMG, Isaiah, was that really your dad? He's so cool!" "When did your dad get back? Did you take a few days off to spend twith him?" "Your dad is so handsome; you guys have sstrong genes!" "I thought that other guy was your dad before, but your real dad is even more of a looker!" The kids buzzed around Isaiah, who, typically a fan of quiet, couldn't help but smile proudly under their praises, "Yep, that's my dad." A rival kid, irritated by Isaiah's smug smile and the attention he was receiving, scoffed, "Who knows if that's even his real dad? His dad's been gone for so long, and suddenly he shows up now? Remember they took a few days off - probably auditioning actors, huh?" Isaiah, annoyed by the comment, quickly retorted with a grin, "Jealous much?" As Isaiah made his way to his seat, the boy seemed intent on not letting him off easy. He charged towards Isaiah, aiming to shove him. But Isaiah dodged effortlessly, and the boy, propelled by his own momentum, stumbled forward.

Isaiah frowned at the desk's sharp corner, still opting to pull the boy back to prevent an accident.

Both stumbled backward. Isaiah, disliking close contact, steadied himself to the side, but the other boy wasn't as lucky, crashing onto the floor.

A cry akin to a pig being slaughtered echoed through the floor, and someone rushed out to inform the teacher.

Hearing the news en route, the teacher nearly fainted, "Isaiah, not again, cout here!" With a heavy sigh, Isaiah, his backpack still on, was escorted to the office by the teacher.

"Causing trouble first thing in the morning, what's this, the umpteenth time? Wantto call your parents again?!" The teacher, exhausted, looked at Isaiah, her voice trembling, "What happened this time?" Isaiah stayed silent for a moment, causing the teacher to lose her patience and dial his parents.

Leopold, on a date, panicked upon receiving the call, "What's wrong, teach?" "Isaiah's guardian, could you cto school? There's been a bit of a scuffle among the kids." "Uh, isn't their dad with them at school today? I'm tied up right now, can't make it." Leopold hurriedly ended the call.

Seeing this, the teacher turned to Isaiah, "Where's your parent?" At the nurse's office.

The school nurse, puzzled, looked Juliette over. She was usually so boisterous; it was odd to see her here.

"Strange, she doesn't seem injured or sick at all." Juliette, lost in her act, didn't respond.

Percival, understanding the situation, sighed, "Let's go check elsewhere, sorry for the bother." Juliette thought they were heading to a hospital outside and gloated internally at her successful performance.

However, Percival led them towards the classrooms instead.

"Dad, where are we going?" Juliette feigned weakness.

"To class." "Do I have to go to class even if I'm feeling unwell?" "How long are you planning to keep this up?" Percival stopped, looking down at her.

Feeling guilty, Juliette avoided his gaze. Percival, heart softening, relented, "Go to class, we'll talk about this later." Percival then headed to the teacher's office, unstoppable now.

Inside the office, the teacher was still processing Isaiah's story, catching the mention of "dad." "He's been here for months, and I've never seen his dad." "You said your dad brought your sister to the nurse?" she asked.

Isaiah nodded.

"Alright, I'll need to speak with your parent." "Teacher, you wanted to see me?" As Percival appeared at the door, the teacher was startled by his striking appearance.

Could this man, a father of two, really be this handsome? "Sorry for the delay, I wanted to ask about my children," Percival settled opposite the teacher, "What's this about my son?" "Oh, nothing major, just a small incident between the kids we were sorting out." After hearing what the homeroom teacher had to say, Percival glanced over at Isaiah, and that look was enough to send shivers of apprehension down Isaiah's spine.

No sooner had that happened than the teacher ushered him out of the room, closing the door behind him and cutting off any chance of eavesdropping on the conversation that continued within. Content belongs to en.kikistoriesIt wasn't until after the siblings had sat through two more classes that Percival reappeared at the classroom door, his expression inscrutable and laden with unspoken words. Content belongs to en.kikistories"If you don't behave in school, it's going to be your godfather picking you up today." Both siblings' eyes widened in shock. Clearly, the teacher had spilled the beans on everything.

Juliette sighed deeply as she watched Percival's retreating back, "Maybe it's just our fate!" Isaiah looked helplessly at his sister, who seemed to be having a flare-up of her tic tendencies, "Just keep it together today, and we'll be fine." "You're lecturing me? You were the one summoned to the office today, and now you're preaching?" Juliette retorted.

"Juliette, Isaiah? What's this bickering about now?" The homeroom teacher's voice extinguished the flames of their argument as quickly as it had flared up.