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.”

“The director wants to see me? He could have

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

but a

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

going. We can’t miss out on the drama,

…

arrived in their finest attire at the

door. Upon

call with no luck,” Melissa said warmly as

had clearly lifted Melissa’s

City for a while, had my phone off,” Vivienne responded with a light laugh, then turned

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

nodded. “Yes, completely. But

happened to

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

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

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

have gone

you inform me? Where is Carl now?” Vivienne

troubled her deeply. And why had the Brooks family not contacted her sooner? With timely notice, Carl would not be

tried to soothe Vivienne, “We wanted to tell you, but… we can’t keep bothering you. You’ve got so much

How can that

a sense of resignation. After all, her relationship with

felt the same; there was a mutual sense

appreciate your concern, but it’s hard for us to keep coming

go of her harsher sentiments, Vivienne’s tone softened. “Alright,

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

heavy sigh. With so much going on in

Vance,” Melissa said, drying her eyes and leading Vivienne inside.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for