The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The lock clicked open, revealing its contents in the dim glow of the room. It was a stack of neatly enveloped documents and a book.

Vivienne rifled through the papers until her eyes fell upon a particular envelope marked boldly: [Paternity Test Results]!

[Test Subjects: Scott Brooks, Vivienne Hawthorn]

[Result: Positive Paternal Match]

Percival’s heart skipped a beat as he read the results.

“A positive match?” He murmured, turning to Vivienne with a puzzled frown.

“What’s going on? Didn’t Vivienne say she was not Scott’s daughter?” He thought.

He had investigated Vivienne’s background only once initially, and it had come up empty. Thus, everything he knew about her was only everything she wanted him to know. Back then, she told him she was not Scott’s daughter, and he had taken her at her word.

However, the paternity test showed that this was clearly not the case.

Vivienne sifted through the rest of the documents. There were ten in total, each one a paternity test from a different testing center, all with the same result. With a sly smile, she tucked the papers back into the envelope.

Turning to Percival, she explained, “I’m not his daughter. My mother had my genes altered. No matter which agency conducts the test, it’ll always show a match.”

Vivienne did not say more, but Percival understood her. There had to be a reason for Vivienne’s mother to do this.

Without further ado, Vivienne directed Percival’s attention to the book. It was not ancient, but it was worn, the kind that had been used often.

The book was actually a journal. Its pages were filled with handwriting added over time. However, the script within was foreign to Vivienne and Percival, not belonging to any known language or script they had ever encountered.

Glancing at the clock and noting the half-hour they had spent, Vivienne suggested, “Let’s take photos and study this later.”

text with his smartphone. They then

Vivienne and Percival parted ways. Percival exited the mansion only to re-enter from

way to the dining area, where Kala spotted her first

Carl, Ashley, and Darren. All the people Vivienne did not mind being around. Thus, she paused for

we finish eating, we plan to hit the shops downtown.

spare her parents any embarrassment. Now, she sought to ensure Vivienne would not feel uncomfortable staying at the

smile. “Maybe… I’ll

her. There were over a dozen appetizers, with more courses to come. Surely, they would be full

Vivienne just grinned, keeping

designer dress, her poise a mask for her growing impatience. She had insisted on greeting the guests, especially to catch Percival’s eye the moment he arrived. Yet, he was nowhere to be seen, and the flattery of insincere

she was about to excuse herself, she caught sight of Percival stepping out

exuded an air of sophistication and aloofness

her expression and approached Percival with a

she could finish, Percival strode past her without a glance, his indifference cutting her deeper than

watched as Richard gave

allow him to miss it after the Brooks family had caused his granddaughter-in-law such grief. If Vivienne was not happy, neither was he. And when he was unhappy, he

face turned a shade of stormy blue. One man ignored her, and the other openly insulted her. She was the Brooks

a smile, her thoughts seething with indignation. They may not see her worth now, but she was determined to make

Spotting her, he made his way

short distance away. Instead of joining her, he made his way to the Sterling

Leopold spotted him, he nearly jumped out of his skin

and a crooked smile, Percival spoke in a soft, teasing tone, “Leopold, have

he chuckled awkwardly. “Ahem! I’m, uh, quite comfortable here, thanks… You enjoy

the smile playing at his

prey under the gaze of a hungry wolf,

last of the guests arrived, Calista’s family

seen, so Scott