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.

was no longer alive

surprise, Karen brought it up

to contain her curiosity any longer, Zelda pressed, “Sasha, where in the world

just smiled, “I don’t know yet, but when I find him, we’ll have a

still at sea about her response, they saw the happiness

…

That night.

in bed, taking the chance to really talk for the

had

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

Dorian nor Scott was her

teased her daughter’s nose, breaking the silence. “Are you wondering

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

I would be the one

You used to say I was too young to understand, but I’m

eyes sparkled with a reminiscence that

he had an important mission to fulfill, would you be angry? Would you feel like you were not the most important thing

a 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

abandoned, and he would never abandon me. Even though we’re worlds apart now, we’re both working

that everyone has

soldiers protect, and even the common

own glories to pursue and

hair from Vivienne’s forehead, caressing her cheek tenderly, “Don’t worry.

soft acknowledgment, dropping the subject

took back in the day?” Vivienne asked, shifting

hint of ferocity flickering in it. “Yes, I

any memory of