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.”

with a smile. “The director wants to see me? He could have just said so. Why all the

party and extended the invitation to Vivienne and Percival,

a pretext for him to see

we going?” Percival asked, already anticipating her answer

Vivienne replied, “Of course, we’re going.

…

in their

door. Upon seeing Vivienne, their

with no

one’s return had clearly lifted Melissa’s spirits;

my phone off,” Vivienne responded with

accident, Vivienne had saved the girl and had not followed up, confident there was no longer a

nodded. “Yes, completely. But

happened to

had not been so stubborn and thrown away her helmet, Carl might not have ended up protecting

After an intense fight for his life, we managed to save him, but the doctors say he suffered brain damage. He might be in a vegetative state from now

Carl was supposed to be recovering; she had

have gone

you inform me? Where is Carl

thought that someone she had saved was now in such a state troubled her deeply. And why had the Brooks family not contacted her sooner? With timely notice, Carl would not

Vivienne, “We wanted to tell you, but… we can’t keep bothering you.

aren’t we? How can that be

a sense of resignation. After all, her relationship with the

the same; there was a mutual sense of guilt and

but it’s hard for us to keep coming to you,” Melissa said, wiping away tears,

tone softened. “Alright, Auntie. Where is

sent Carl abroad for treatment. They say it’s a good place for

sent away, Vivienne heaved a heavy sigh. With so much going on in Rivenwood, she could not leave just yet. Carl would

eyes and leading Vivienne inside.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated