The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The shadow of the F-Poison conspiracy loomed large, and there was simply no time for Percival and Vivienne to entertain thoughts of wedding bells just yet.

Percival got it. He really did.

Sure, the GTO’s weapon manufacturing plants and virus research facilities were obliterated. But he was under no illusion that this was the end.

As long as F-Poison was out there, peace of mind was but a pipe dream.

“Grandpa Jasper and Richard,” Percival declared with reassuring confidence, “trust me, I will give Vivienne the most romantic, the grandest wedding the world has ever seen!”

Given the certainty in his voice, the two old men had no objections to offer.

They shared a silent moment before their gaze shifted to Karen, seated quietly to one side.

As Vivienne’s mother, she naturally had a say in her daughter’s nuptials.

Karen was lost in a hefty turkey sandwich when she felt her father’s eyes on her. Hastily swallowing, she chimed in.

“Vivienne’s right, and besides, there’s still someone missing if we were to have the wedding now.”

The room paused, puzzled. Zelda, curious as ever, asked, “Sasha, who are we missing here? Isn’t Willa with you?”

Zelda mistakenly thought Karen meant Willa.

But Karen shook her head, nodding subtly toward Vivienne. “Her dad!”

Everyone’s confusion cleared. They had never dared to ask Karen outright about Vivienne’s biological father’s whereabouts.

that Vivienne’s father was no longer alive and that bringing it up might stir up

their surprise, Karen brought

any longer, Zelda pressed, “Sasha, where in the world is

yet, but when I find him, we’ll

about her response, they saw the happiness in Karen’s smile and wisely chose not to

…

That night.

and Karen lay in bed, taking the chance to

events had weighed on

was eager

Dorian nor Scott was

teased her daughter’s nose, breaking the silence. “Are you wondering where your dad might

mother. “Mom, you didn’t get abandoned by him,

“Abandoned? Honey, if anything, I would be the one doing the

say I was too young to understand, but I’m grown

her eyes sparkled with a

day because he had an important mission to fulfill, would you be

moment’s thought, Vivienne replied, “No. To carry his mission and honor as a soldier, that’s the Percival I love. If he gave up his duty and responsibility for me, I’d eventually become the

wasn’t abandoned, and he would never abandon me. Even though we’re worlds apart now, we’re both working towards the same

everyone has their mission in

heal, soldiers protect, and even the common folk battle

their own glories to pursue

from Vivienne’s forehead, caressing her cheek tenderly, “Don’t worry. Your father will be back before

soft acknowledgment, dropping the subject of her elusive

that photo Noah took back in the day?”

of ferocity flickering in it. “Yes, I saw

you have any memory of that at