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.”

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

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

a pretext for

anticipating her answer from the look on her

going. We can’t

…

in their finest attire

and Ashley were greeting guests at the door. Upon

I’ve missed you so much. I’ve been trying to call with

lifted Melissa’s spirits;

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

had not followed up, confident there was no

“Yes, completely.

happened to

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

intense fight for his life, we managed to save him, but the doctors say he suffered brain damage.

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

could have gone

me? Where is Carl

why had the Brooks family not contacted her sooner? With timely notice,

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

How

a sense of resignation. After all, her relationship with the Brooks family would never be

Brooks family felt the same; there was a mutual sense

to keep coming

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

it’s a good place for someone

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

said, drying her eyes and leading Vivienne inside.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join