The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Wendy froze, disbelief etched across her face as Eliza’s words sank in.

With a swift motion, Eliza grabbed a decorative pillow from the couch and pressed it against Wendy’s face.

As she bore down with all her might, Eliza hissed, “Just so you know, every single present you’ve ever received was bought by Cecilia. I was merely the delivery girl. And every mistake? That was all me. But Cecilia, with her hapless, tender heart, took the fall every time. Before you kicked her out for the last time, she left you a sum of money. Guess what? I pocketed that with a laugh.

Mom, so why don’t you just go ahead and die? Once you’re gone, I’ll have the perfect excuse to worm into the Ellington family’s graces to get close to Nathan. Cecilia’s a soft touch; she’ll surely take me in, right?

Your existence is nothing but a burden to me. Better you’re dead so that I can squeeze out one last benefit. Don’t worry, I’ll get the Boyd family’s signet ring and raise our name from the ashes.”

Wendy struggled briefly beneath the pillow but soon fell still.

She had died at the hands of the daughter she had cherished all her life.

Eliza let out a slow breath, dragged Wendy’s body into the bedroom, and staged the scene to look like an accidental death.

Then, pulling out her phone, she dialed Vivienne.

Meanwhile, Vivienne answered the call, her gaze still fixed on the computer screen, which displayed Eliza’s malicious face.

“Ms. Hawthorn, it’s Eliza,” the voice on the line said.

Vivienne reclined against the sofa, lazily stretching her legs onto the coffee table. “Mrs. Watson, something I can do for you?”

Eliza despised the way Vivienne called her by her name. If only she had married Nathan back then, Vivienne would have to respectfully address her as “Mom.”

She was a hundred times better than Cecilia, yet Nathan only had eyes for that fool!

Eliza had been simmering with resentment for years, dreaming of the day she would replace Cecilia and become Nathan’s wife.

Eliza steadied her voice, “Ms. Hawthorn, I know you’ve got beef with the Boyds, but karma’s caught up with them now. I’m calling you today because there’s something else.”

chuckled. “So, what’s

my brothers, and my mom… She passed away from

voice broke into a sob, “Is Percival with you? Can he let Cecilia know to

Eliza put on a performance worthy of

glass of milk, a smirk tugging at his

snacks while pregnant with Isolde, she would

took the phone and said, “I’ll be there on

that, he hung up, tired of the wailing that was ruining Vivienne’s

of resentment

Wendy was Cecilia’s mother!

then could she see Nathan. If

Vivienne received a text on her phone with the funeral notice from Eliza. Tapping a few times, she replied in Cecilia’s voice, ensuring Eliza

completely unaware that Vivienne had intercepted her text, and she was under constant

response, Eliza began to prepare for the

the funeral, notables from Sea City gathered alongside the Boyds’ extended family. Despite their current misfortune,

the entrance in mourning attire, eagerly awaiting Nathan’s arrival. She had not seen him in over two decades and wondered how he had aged. Knowing him, he would have only grown more distinguished,

face she yearned to see but saw none. Instead, Vivienne and Percival, clad in striking

was Percival’s grandmother’s funeral;

Eliza was not upset. In fact, she was smug. The more outrageous Vivienne and Percival acted, the better for her. And her immediate goal was to reclaim the

replied that she would attend the

One funeral, two birds.

“Percival, pay respects to your

he and Vivienne made a token gesture. It was plain to see their hearts were

in the crowd could not bear to watch. Regardless of the circumstances, this was a funeral, and they were showing disrespect not just with

in the crowd admonished, a hint of disbelief in

agreement followed, voices tinged with disappointment

the least you could do. Can’t you even pretend

downright shameful, unworthy of calling yourselves