The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne cradled her mug of steaming coffee, the vaporous tendrils partially veiling her eyes, adding a touch of mystery to her gaze.

Diana’s message to Vivienne was crystal clear: “Remember your place. You’re nothing more than an adopted granddaughter, not even by blood. Don’t get too comfortable thinking you’re one of us.”

She was staking her claim as the Perez family’s one and only darling daughter, warning Vivienne to stay in her lane.

How ironic. Who was really trying to prove they belong?

Vivienne chuckled. “I’ve never been one to hold back around Grandpa. You needn’t worry on my behalf.”

Diana let out a few forced laughs, sipping her coffee to mask her insecurity.

This Vivienne, she was certainly not one to mince words!

When Zelda and Percival arrived, the dinner table buzzed with their lively conversation. Diana, often finding herself on the periphery, could only offer a strained smile.

The meal passed with her in relative silence.

When it came time to settle the bill, Percival, the only gentleman present, had already discreetly taken care of it. It would not do to have the ladies pay.

Diana, pleased but pretending to chide, said, “I said this one was on me. Next time, you mustn’t sneak ahead of me.”

Zelda rolled her eyes in private disdain. She could not stand Diana’s pettiness.

A meal’s cost was hardly worth remembering, was it not?

With the evening advancing, Zelda and Diana bid farewell to Vivienne and Percival.

On the drive back, Percival mentioned, “Leopold’s headed to Sea City to take over for Thomas. He’s already on his way.”

Vivienne acknowledged with a nonchalant, “Expected.”

Percival, hands on the wheel, was still puzzling over Vance’s agenda. What was he really after?

and neither Leopold nor Percival

sending Leopold to assist Griffin…

“Maybe?”

events were complex, but undeniably, everything seemed to revolve around this ancient warrior lineage. Just how deep did

pulled up to Vivienne’s place, headlights flashed from the opposite

surprised glance, neither expecting Maddox

“Uncle,

opened the door. “Get in. We

off after

drove them to a posh, unfamiliar villa neighborhood, searching for a bit

are we?”

in such a place, so we let it go to waste. Ah, but I remember the house

been vacant for a while, with furniture covered in dust

gets cleaned occasionally, but there’s nothing in the fridge. Maybe I should’ve brought a case of

was not bothered. “What’s up, Uncle? What did you need to see

before speaking, “Vivienne, you’re aware of the paternity test you

I know.

test. Someone tampered with it, but I haven’t

lifted. “And

Maddox’s brows were furrowed, clearly not convinced by

nodded, her

genes had been altered long ago, and

and

people investigating the testing center and the doctor

you so convinced

“I believe you are my real niece, my

she seldom experienced. She was

“Thank you.”

the saying, ‘Uncles and aunties, through thick and thin, the bond’s unbreakable, akin to

Uncle. The

was perplexed. How could it be out