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.

despite her curiosity, had held back, fearing that Vivienne’s father was no longer alive and that bringing it up might stir up painful memories

their surprise, Karen brought it up

longer, Zelda pressed, “Sasha,

don’t know yet, but when

was still at sea about her response, they saw the happiness in Karen’s

…

That night.

to really

events had

be told, she, too, was eager to know who

nor Scott was her birth

breaking the silence. “Are you wondering where your dad

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

Honey, if anything, I would be the one doing the abandoning! He never had the power

split? You used to say I was too young to understand, but I’m grown up

and her eyes sparkled with a reminiscence that words could

an important mission to fulfill, would you be angry? Would you feel like you

soldier, that’s the Percival I love. If he gave up his duty and responsibility for me, I’d eventually become the one abandoned. That’s not the man I fell

he would never abandon me. Even though we’re worlds apart now, we’re both working towards the same goal. When the

everyone has their mission

protect, and even the common

had their own glories to pursue and their

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

a soft acknowledgment, dropping the subject of her elusive

see that photo Noah took back in the day?”

a hint of ferocity flickering in it.

you have any memory