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.”

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

invitation to Vivienne and Percival,

but a pretext for

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

“Of course, we’re going.

…

in

the door. Upon seeing Vivienne, their faces

you made it! I’ve missed you so much. I’ve been trying to call with no luck,” Melissa said warmly as she reached out and took

loved one’s return had clearly lifted Melissa’s spirits; her smile was even brighter

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

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

nodded. “Yes,

to

Carl’s condition. If only she had not been so stubborn and thrown away her helmet,

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

to be recovering; she had performed the surgery herself, and there

could have

me? Where is Carl now?” Vivienne asked, her voice

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

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

How can

but also felt a sense of resignation. After all, her relationship with the Brooks family would

was

hard for us to keep coming to you,” Melissa said, wiping

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

sent Carl abroad for treatment. They say it’s

With so much going on in Rivenwood, she could not

introduce you to your Uncle Vance,” Melissa said, drying her eyes and leading Vivienne inside.Books