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.

no longer alive and that bringing it up might stir up painful

their surprise, Karen brought it

Zelda pressed, “Sasha, where in the world is Vivienne’s

when I find him, we’ll have

at sea about her response, they saw the happiness in Karen’s smile and wisely

…

That night.

and Karen lay in bed, taking the chance to really talk for the first time

events had weighed on Vivienne’s

she, too, was eager to know who her

Dorian nor Scott was her

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

her mother. “Mom,

Honey, if anything, I would be the one doing the abandoning! He

did you two split? You used to say I was too

pressed slightly, and her eyes sparkled with a reminiscence that

“Frost, if Percival had to leave you one day because he had an important mission to fulfill, would you be angry? Would you feel

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

agreement. “Me too. I fell for your dad because he stood by his honor. I wasn’t abandoned, and he would never abandon

understood that everyone has

heal, soldiers protect, and even the common

own glories to pursue

cheek tenderly, “Don’t worry. Your father will be back before you know

soft acknowledgment, dropping the

Noah took back in the day?” Vivienne asked, shifting

a hint of ferocity flickering in it. “Yes, I saw myself

you have any memory of