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 school

muttered under her

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

Percival, “Percival, don’t tell me you never noticed how great

school

arms, urging her dad to

anger and his daughter’s smugness, totally

Vivienne couldn’t contain her laughter any longer and burst into giggles

even

it. She had never imagined Percival could

his tie and stepped out of the car, opening the back door to put an end to the giggling –

car, things got heated, while

soup Aurelia had made for

two

froze, then bumped his head hard on the roof. Without pausing to rub it, he scrambled out

tried to appear calm as

a meaningful look. “The soup’s freshly made. Don’t

was

Nathan turned and entered the house, leaving

going back to

…

Karen was tending to

you stay up late again last night?” Karen felt his pulse,

of course not. You saw me

when you

at the accuracy

an upset stomach and could use something light,” Jasper complained, clutching

him a knowing look, pointing to the

she caught Jasper cajoling Karen, with Maddox

up to bully a defenseless old man?” Vivienne

bend a steel bar with bare hands?

“Exactly, they’re so mean. Only my granddaughter

you the latest comic from your favorite series,”

granddaughter shared a moment