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.

you’re going to boarding

muttered under her

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

car, she whispered to Percival, “Percival, don’t tell me

school for

into Nathan’s arms, urging

anger and his daughter’s smugness, totally clueless

Vivienne couldn’t contain her laughter any longer and

grew even redder. “Vivienne, stop

never imagined Percival could be so shy –

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

the car, things got heated, while

stood there, holding a thermos of soup Aurelia had made for Vivienne, unsure how to

maybe you two could

roof. Without pausing to rub

appear calm

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

double entendre was not lost on

entered the

no going back to

…

Karen was

stay up late again last night?” Karen felt his

of

when you actually went to

amazed at the accuracy of her

I’ve got a bit of an upset stomach and could use something light,” Jasper complained,

a knowing look, pointing to the pastries. “You just had

Jasper cajoling Karen, with Maddox enjoying

man?” Vivienne approached, handing

old man can bend a steel bar with bare hands? And he

finally found an ally. “Exactly, they’re so mean. Only my granddaughter

I got you the latest comic from your favorite series,”

granddaughter shared a moment of bliss, impenetrable to all