The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Willa’s brow was furrowed in frustration, her fists clenched tightly.

“So many hideouts, damn it!” She muttered under her breath.

The real thorn in her side was discovering that Diana had been secretly conspiring with F-Poison! That damned traitor!

Meanwhile, Quincy discreetly texted Vivienne for help, knowing full well she was no match for Willa. Her only hope was to bring in reinforcements without making a sound.

But before she could relish the thought of rescue, Willa’s hand clamped down on her shoulder.

“Hey, kiddo, when the grown-ups are talking, you listen, okay?” Willa said with a smile that was anything but comforting.

Quincy attempted to resist, but it was futile.

With ease, Willa confiscated Quincy’s phone, then tied her to a chair, topping her work with a peachy little heart drawn on her forehead.

“As much as I’d love to catch up with Vivienne, I can’t right now. Give it two hours after I leave, and she’ll come running to save you,” Willa said as she tapped on the phone before setting it down and making her exit.

Quincy could only watch helplessly as Willa disappeared. Glancing at the phone, she saw the message was indeed sent, but with a two-hour delay before reaching Vivienne.

Cruel fate, indeed!

…

At the Perez Mansion.

Diana had just reached the front gate when laughter echoed from within.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, aware that Jasper was probably still fuming over today’s fiasco.

But then, to her astonishment, she heard Vivienne’s voice. Why was she still here?

In the Perez’s backyard, Vivienne was surprised by a strawberry cheesecake decorated with the names of Natalia, Yasmine, and her own!

still perfecting my frosting skills, so just bear

your birthday, but you said you don’t even know your birthday.

reasons for keeping her

her mother was alive, she refrained from sharing personal details. Now that she knew, there hadn’t been

wasn’t her actual birthday, her heart felt incredibly

dreamed of gorging on strawberry cheesecake until

was just a passing

eyes. The cake might not have been a masterpiece of culinary art, with its lopsided strawberries and smeared icing, but to her, it was the most delicious,

Auntie, thank you,” was all she could muster, her voice choked

smeared a bit of frosting on Vivienne’s

“Yay, we’re celebrating with

to laughter as she glanced

Vivienne,” he said softly, ruffling

nodded, bending down to blow out the candles with

look of profound peace

illuminated by the irreplaceable

gift present, but it was

quietly

a picture of harmony and

Vivienne. She imagined tearing that smiling face to shreds, crushing it underfoot, and throwing it into

hurled a rock at Sasha, she now wished to cast

Diana’s loathing for Vivienne

mother was dead, so what was she doing back

of

glare and turned to

course, it was

her with such

at the door, their expressions varied, yet

“Diana, I want to speak

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