The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The group followed Flynn into the house, where he was immediately taken aback at the sight of his niece, Fiona, in a wheelchair.

“Fiona, what happened to you?” Flynn asked, his voice laced with concern.

Richard had been vague when he called Flynn back home, mentioning only that a lot of things had gone south and they needed his help sorting things out. But seeing Fiona like this was a shock to the system.

Flynn had always had a soft spot for his nephews, but Fiona, his only niece, was like a precious gem to him—someone to be protected at all costs.

Fiona gave a weak smile and shook her head. “Uncle Flynn, it’s nothing serious. It’s just a bit of a heart condition. I can’t be on my feet too much.”

“How on earth did you end up with a heart problem? What did the doctors say?” Flynn asked urgently.

Heloise let out a disdainful snort. “Why don’t you ask the great Master Vivienne about that? She knows exactly what’s going on. Don’t you, Vivienne?”

Vivienne lifted her gaze coolly, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. “Fiona knows better than I do, doesn’t she?”

Fiona pursed her lips, holding Heloise back. “Mom, not everything is Vivienne’s fault. Uncle Flynn just got back, and Aunt Imogen is here too. Please, let’s not do this now.”

Flynn glanced at Vivienne with a hint of reproach but said nothing more.

Imogen, standing close to Flynn, also kept quiet.

Heloise, however, was not so easily silenced. “If I can’t even talk about what she did…”

Cecilia, fuming, looked ready to lash out. “You…”

“Enough, Aunt! How has my sister-in-law Vivienne wronged you? Do you really want me to tell Dad everything your family has done and see who ends up embarrassed?”

because it came from Kenneth, the youngest

was taken aback, too. Kenneth

face turned red at the sudden attention. Ever since he found out Vivienne was Aaron’s coach, he did not know how to face her and had come to believe she

up with Heloise’s relentless attacks on

broke the awkward silence, ruffling Kenneth’s hair with a laugh. “Look how much you’ve grown, Kenneth! When I left, you were only this tall. Now

a fruitless search, Flynn had intended for one of his brothers to adopt Kenneth, but none were willing except his third brother. However, he was too occupied back then and never followed through on the matter. He had thought about sending Kenneth to an orphanage, but with his pleading eyes, the boy had won Flynn over, and he ended

no experience with children, so he relied heavily on his third

the best,” Kenneth

your brother around as a kid, and you still do,” Flynn teased, earning a few chuckles and

called everyone to dinner, and Richard, supported by Vivienne and Imogen, made his way to the

good taste, kid. Vivienne is impressive,” Flynn said,

indifferently, “How would you know Vivienne

told me. When Imogen found out who Vivienne was, she went

on Imogen, with Isolde cheekily asking, “Auntie Imogen, how did Uncle catch your eye when he’s so

nearly choked on his food. “Hey, little miss. You were just gushing over how good-looking I am compared to your brother. Standing next

I didn’t see Auntie Imogen yet. She’s so young and pretty, like Vivienne. So,

could not argue—Imogen really was

true. Imogen is only twenty-five, fifteen years younger than me,” Flynn said, looking at Imogen adoringly. “She’s still in

love at first sight for Uncle Flynn?” Isolde looked

school, lots of girls were

the one I saw. So yes, you could say it

approvingly. Isolde giggled behind her hand. “So sweet, even sweeter than my brother

nonchalantly feeding Vivienne, looked at his sister and

the piece of meat Percival

smudge of grease

teased, “you two