The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne savored the last bite of her soft-boiled egg, the yolk creamy and just the right amount of runny, a perfect morning indulgence.

With Juliet’s insights, the picture was becoming clearer—Maddox, Yuri, and Zelda were all of the complex Perez family puzzle pieces.

But who had the power to tamper with a paternity test? Among them, who did want her to be recognized as part of the Perez family?

And then there was Willa.

Draven had messaged last night, his words still fresh in her mind: [The lab in Rivenwood was blown sky-high by someone named Willa.]

That Willa had to be the same one entangled with the Perez family. The waters she was wading into were murky—and it was a tale not to be unraveled in a mere day or two.

“Miss, take your time with your meal. I have things to tend to,” Juliet said, having briefed Vivienne on the Perez family’s intricate dynamics. With that, she busied herself elsewhere, leaving more unsaid than spoken.

Vivienne understood Juliet’s position—all those years within the Perez family had taught her a great deal about discretion.

Percival’s phone buzzed. It was a call from Mara.

“Percival, you and the missus up yet?”

“Yeah, what’s up?” Percival inquired.

Mara chuckled. “How about a swim? My friend just opened a new pool, and we’re all invited!”

Percival switched the phone to speaker, looking to Vivienne for her take.

She nodded, indifferent to the location.

“Send over the address,” Percival said, seeing Vivienne’s approval.

“Will do, see you soon!” Mara’s voice bubbled with excitement as she ended the call.

expression darkened, a chill briefly passing over

slid his egg onto her plate, now covered in a rich smear of

my egg,” he teased, playfully nudging her nose, the shadows

protein for

agreement. “Indeed, swimming

smile, their connection beyond

…

hour later, they pulled up to the poolside,

with Vivienne affectionately. “I didn’t get

her with a polite smile, “Hello,

about you! Auntie told me—perfumer Q and Master Eulalia. I’ve been dying to add you on social media, but she wouldn’t let me. She said when we met, I

lost on the discerning eyes of Vivienne, who could see through people

replied, maintaining her

the pool complex, Mara and Vivienne headed to the

the venue was bustling. In the children’s section,

area, a spread of fresh fruits

was separated from the general area by a mere divider, allowing for

ticked by without a sign of Vivienne or Mara, Percival

through the air, followed by a

women’s changing room emerged a stunning figure in a white bikini, her curves wrapped in a sheer shawl that teased the

their play, whispering in awe, “Wow, she looks like a fairy

looking at his phone. The person on his chat

eyes were on this enchanting newcomer as she approached the VIP area, sitting

and women—such goddesses were always

absorbed in his phone, finally

slightly, indifferent.

hurt. “Mr. Ellington, don’t you remember me? I’m Gillian Ashford, Mara’s close friend. You’ve seen me before when you picked up Mara

her, failing to recall their past encounter, although the

of

was the lady Wendy was adamant that he marry.Books Chapters Are