The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival reached out and swiped a finger through the frosting, popping it directly into his mouth.

The next instant, his face contorted in agony, an expression of pain so intense it had never before graced his features.

“Is it poisoned?” Vivienne yelled out, alarm knitting her brow.

Percival waved her off, steadying himself on her knee. “It’s just… incredibly bitter.”

Vivienne was speechless.

“Bitter? Really?” She dared a taste herself, almost letting her lifelong love affair with strawberry shortcake plummet to rock bottom.

It was supposed to be frosting – sweet, indulgent frosting.

Why on earth was it so bitter?

A thought struck Vivienne. “Tastes like something my mom made.”

Her words hung in the air, and she and Percival paused, a sudden realization dawning on them.

Slowly, they lifted their eyes to meet, and their gazes converged with silent understanding.

The cake before them indeed bore the mark of Karen’s handiwork.

The pair sat in stunned silence, neither willing to voice the conclusion forming in their minds. Yet, all the strange occurrences of recent days seemed to be pointing inexorably in one direction.

After a while, Vivienne shook her head. “I’ve never had such a terrible strawberry shortcake.”

Percival unveiled a slice of strawberry shortcake he had brought and fed it to Vivienne. “Try this one; it’s sweet.”

A chuckle escaped Vivienne’s lips, her eyes inadvertently flickering to the bitter disappointment that was the other cake.

Once they finished the delectable shortcake, Vivienne leaned back against the couch, patting her belly. “Mr. Wolf, didn’t you say you had something to discuss with me?”

Percival presented two invitations, laying them before Vivienne. “Take a look.”

over them with a smile. “The director wants to see me? He could have just

and extended the invitation to Vivienne and Percival, they were not fooled. Vance’s

a

going?” Percival asked, already anticipating her answer from the look on

going. We can’t miss out on

…

arrived in their finest attire

guests at the door. Upon seeing Vivienne, their faces lit up with

you so much. I’ve been trying to call with no luck,” Melissa said warmly as she reached out

Melissa’s spirits; her smile was even brighter

my phone off,” Vivienne responded with

the accident, Vivienne had saved the girl and had not followed up, confident

“Yes, completely. But

happened to Carl?” Vivienne

tears, weighed down by guilt over Carl’s condition. If only she had not been so stubborn and thrown away

but then, suddenly, his condition worsened one night. After an intense fight for his life, we managed to save him, but the doctors say

was taken aback. Carl was supposed to be recovering; she had performed the

could have

is Carl now?” Vivienne asked,

that someone she had saved was now in such a state troubled her deeply. And why had

you, but… we can’t keep bothering you. You’ve

family, aren’t we? How

frustrated but also felt a sense of resignation. After all, her relationship with the Brooks family would never

was a mutual sense

it’s hard for us to keep coming to you,” Melissa said,

harsher sentiments, Vivienne’s tone softened. “Alright, Auntie.

say it’s a good place for someone in his condition

heaved a heavy sigh. With so much going on in Rivenwood,

you to your Uncle Vance,” Melissa said, drying her eyes and leading