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

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

but a pretext for him to see

Percival asked, already anticipating her answer from the look on

replied, “Of course, we’re going. We can’t miss out on the

…

arrived in their finest

were greeting guests at the door. Upon seeing Vivienne, their

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

clearly lifted Melissa’s spirits; her smile was even

my phone off,” Vivienne responded with a light laugh, then

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

“Yes, completely.

happened to Carl?”

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

his life, we managed to save him, but the doctors say he

she had performed the surgery herself,

could have

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

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 be

but… we can’t

we? How can that be a

her relationship with the Brooks family would never be

Brooks family felt the same; there was a mutual sense of

to keep coming to you,” Melissa

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

They say it’s a

With so much

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