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!

a bit embarrassed, looked at Vivienne. “I’m still perfecting my frosting skills, so just bear

cheesecake. We wanted to know your birthday, but you said you don’t even know your birthday. So, we figured, why not celebrate

was, Vivienne had her reasons for keeping her birthday

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

today wasn’t her actual birthday,

cheesecake until she could not take another bite, and here it

recent cake obsession was just a passing fancy, never guessing

welled in Vivienne’s 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, most perfect strawberry cheesecake she had ever

thank you,” was all she could muster,

playfully smeared a bit of frosting on Vivienne’s nose. “Happy birthday,

Yasmine cheered, “Yay, we’re

turned to laughter as she glanced at

he said softly, ruffling

bending down to blow out the candles

with a tender smile, a look of profound peace and contentment that

looks, each face illuminated by the irreplaceable joy of the

the most extravagant gift present, but it was

stood at the gate, quietly observing the scene unfold before

of

her gaze fell on Vivienne. She imagined tearing that smiling face to shreds, crushing it underfoot, and throwing

had once hurled a rock at Sasha, she now wished to

on her anger, Diana’s loathing for Vivienne grew ever

mother was dead, so what was she

all of you!” She

glare and turned

it

at her with such malice was… something Brooks? She shrugged it

gaze to Diana at the door, their expressions varied, yet none

“Diana, I want to

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