The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

“You… you really are going to help me?” Mara looked at Vivienne, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Vivienne nodded, “Yes.”

“But you… you…” Mara stuttered, at a loss for words.

Even Cecilia hadn’t expected Vivienne to consent. “Vivienne, you’re really willing to help Mara?”

Vivienne affirmed. “Sure, but I have my conditions. I’m the Specter Healer; I don’t work for free.”

Mara knew it. Vivienne wasn’t the type to offer help out of the goodness of her heart.

“I understand, but I’m broke right now. Can I write you an IOU and pay you back once I have the money?” Mara pleaded.

Vivienne smiled, her red lips lifting in a beguiling curve. “That’s not what I’m asking for.”

A shiver ran down Mara’s spine as she locked eyes with Vivienne’s smile. She felt like she had just fallen into a bottomless pit – a trap that could spell her doom!

Leaving the hospital, Percival drove Isolde back home.

Isolde took every chance to stick close to Vivienne. “Vivienne, what was the deal you made with Mara back there?”

Vivienne scooped Isolde into her arms, meticulously parting her hair to craft a sweet hairstyle for the youngster.

“Little ones shouldn’t pry.”

Isolde sat still, leaning against Vivienne, her tiny shoulders pressed against her chest.

After a while, Isolde murmured, “Vivienne, you’re really busty, you know.”

Percival nearly choked on his own spit.

Unfazed, Vivienne continued her task while Percival’s face turned a shade that would’ve given any artist’s palette a run for its money.

“Kids shouldn’t talk about such things,” Percival cleared his throat.

Isolde scoffed. “Percival, why so prudish? I’m just saying she’s got a great figure. It’s just a fact.”

Percival slammed on the brakes and parked by the roadside, swiftly moving Isolde to the passenger seat.

more word, and you’re going to boarding school

muttered under her

was dropped off at home, where her father, Nathan, was waiting

the car, she whispered to Percival, “Percival,

Boarding school

into Nathan’s arms, urging

watched, bemused by his son’s anger and his

Isolde departed, Vivienne couldn’t contain her laughter any longer and burst into giggles in the

face grew even redder. “Vivienne, stop

imagined Percival

his manhood challenged for the first time in his life. He adjusted his tie and stepped out of the car, opening the back door to

things got heated, while

of soup

you two could

hard on the roof. Without pausing to rub it, he scrambled out of

appear calm as he faced

the thermos to Percival with a meaningful look. “The soup’s freshly made. Don’t rush;

was not lost on

entered the house, leaving Percival alone in his

was no going back to the Ellington Mansion

…

Perez Mansion, Karen was tending to

Karen felt his pulse, and

no, of

That’s about when

amazed at

got a bit of an upset stomach and could use something

a knowing look, pointing to the

Vivienne walked in, she caught Jasper

up to bully a defenseless old man?” Vivienne approached, handing a bag

Who’s old man can bend a steel bar with bare hands? And

found an ally. “Exactly, they’re so

I got you the latest comic from your favorite series,” Vivienne said, standing protectively by Jasper’s

and granddaughter shared a moment of bliss, impenetrable