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.”

up the invites, glancing over them with a smile. “The director wants to see me? He could have just said so. Why

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

a

anticipating her answer from the

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

…

in

Ashley were greeting guests at the door. Upon

much. I’ve been trying to call with no luck,”

clearly lifted Melissa’s

while, had my phone off,” Vivienne responded with a light laugh, then turned to Ashley.

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

nodded. “Yes,

happened to

had not been so stubborn and thrown

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

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

have

didn’t you inform me? Where is Carl now?” Vivienne

why had the Brooks family not contacted her sooner?

soothe Vivienne, “We wanted to tell you, but… we

aren’t we? How can that be a

this, Vivienne grew more frustrated but also felt a sense of resignation. After all, her relationship

same; there was a

it’s hard for us to keep coming

tone softened. “Alright, Auntie. Where is

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

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

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