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

extended the invitation to Vivienne and Percival, they were not

a pretext for him to

asked, already anticipating her answer from the

we’re going. We can’t miss

…

Percival arrived in their finest attire

guests at the door. Upon

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 Vivienne’s hand

Melissa’s spirits; her smile was

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

Vivienne had saved the girl and had not followed

nodded. “Yes, completely.

happened to Carl?” Vivienne

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

suddenly, his condition worsened one night. After an intense fight for his life, we managed to

was taken aback. Carl was supposed to be recovering; she had performed

could have

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

was now in such a state troubled her deeply. And why had the Brooks family not contacted her sooner? With

we can’t keep bothering you.

family, aren’t we? How can

resignation. After all, her relationship with the Brooks family would

Brooks family felt the same; there was a mutual

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

her harsher sentiments, Vivienne’s tone softened. “Alright, Auntie. Where is Carl

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

heaved a heavy sigh. With so much

go inside. I will introduce you to your Uncle Vance,” Melissa said, drying her eyes and leading Vivienne inside.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay