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.”

They then carefully placed the box back and

Percival parted ways.

made her way to the dining area, where Kala spotted her first and waved her over. “Vivienne, come join

the people Vivienne did not

whispered, “After we finish eating, we plan

to spare her parents any embarrassment. Now, she sought to ensure Vivienne would not feel uncomfortable staying at the party any longer than necessary. Thus, she made plans with Carl and

offered with a smile. “Maybe… I’ll treat you all to a meal

before her. There were over a dozen appetizers, with more courses to come.

grinned, keeping her plans to

growing impatience. She had insisted on greeting the guests, especially to catch Percival’s

caught sight of Percival stepping out of a car

his black suit, exuded an air of sophistication

her expression and approached Percival with a dignified smile.

without a glance, his indifference cutting her deeper than

watched as Richard gave her a dismissive look and muttered,

his pride would not allow him to miss it after the Brooks family had caused his granddaughter-in-law such grief. If Vivienne

turned a shade of stormy blue. One man ignored her, and the other

eyes fell upon her, Calista clenched her fists and forced a smile, her thoughts seething with

out Vivienne. Spotting her, he made his way over and declared, “Vivienne, come sit

Vivienne, who was mingling with some guests a short distance away. Instead of joining her, he made his way

out of his skin and instinctively shuffled behind

a crooked smile, Percival spoke in a soft, teasing tone, “Leopold, have a few days apart made me a stranger? Come on,

chuckled awkwardly. “Ahem! I’m, uh, quite comfortable here,

on Leopold, the smile playing at his lips growing

the gaze of a hungry wolf, his heart pounding rapidly in

of the guests arrived, Calista’s family

so Scott took the stage to