The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne gazed deeply into the eyes of her mother, whom she had waited over ten years to reunite with. There was an undeniable reluctance to let go.

Memories, after all, weren’t everything. If they couldn’t be retrieved, then so be it.

Karen ruffled Vivienne’s hair affectionately. “Frost, I believe in you. You’re my pride and joy in this world, and nothing will ever pose an obstacle in your way. You’re my treasure, and whatever you set your mind to, you’ll surely succeed.”

She knew her daughter all too well.

Vivienne didn’t want to lose her; she didn’t want to be cast into the world as an orphan again.

Indeed, those lost memories weren’t crucial.

She now knew how she had vanished and had been reunited with her biological father. Whether her memories returned or not wasn’t important.

When F-Poison had abducted her from the Perez family, Diana hadn’t even seen his true face.

At Scepter University, the white-haired old man who knew F-Poison had only seen Elliot’s face.

Flynn might know, but he would never tell.

Thus, in this entire world, Karen was the only one who might have seen F-Poison’s real face.

And those lost memories? They needed to be recovered at all costs.

Vivienne bit her lower lip pensively. “I only have one chance.”

One opportunity: success meant jubilation; failure meant no second chances.

Karen smiled reassuringly. “I know, but I’m not going to die. Your mentor has seen it in the cards – I’m going to live to be two hundred!”

Vivienne knew her mother was jesting, but it helped ease her tension slightly.

Karen continued, “I must recover that part of my memory, so rest assured, nothing will happen to me. And my dear daughter, when have you ever faced defeat?”

Holding Vivienne’s hand tightly, Karen said, “Go ahead with confidence. No matter what happens, I’m here for you.”

Vivienne’s lips were pressed firmly together, and she didn’t respond for a long time.

She was contemplating, hesitating.

Karen’s eyes, her uncertainty seemed

For today, how about we go back and have a potluck dinner with Grandpa

“Sounds perfect!”

in hand, and Percival, seeing the streaks on Vivienne’s cheeks, didn’t ask any questions. He took their bags

the Perez Mansion, Zelda had prepared a hearty stew, knowing Karen was coming home with a

bustled about in preparation

Except for Maddox.

bachelor was immersed in playing house

Percival, and Karen entered, they saw Maddox’s head adorned

playing

to be scolded by Natalia, “Vivienne, don’t talk to him; he’s in

on the kid.

finally caught on; Natalia and Yasmine were impersonating Zelda and Yuri Perez, and

have Natalia and Yasmine stopped letting you play the

sighing. “Having too many nieces isn’t great either. Fredrick, when are you going to have

watermelon into Maddox’s mouth with absolute precision and said,

want more kids? Go have them yourself. Those two rascals are enough for me. Dad,

frantically at the suggestion of taking on his grandsons. “No, no, no, keep

I’m done with that. They’re grown

always treat kids

Carmen, it’s

your grandpa’s side!” Karen

“Don’t worry, when we have

how many kids are you

round bed for yourself!” All

Maddox’s head—one from a watermelon seed and the other from the

it was

“What’s happened to this wicked

abuzz with laughter and

atop the garden wall, observing the

Willa’s presence. She turned and saw Willa

slipping away from the Perez Mansion, Karen met Willa at the same small steak house where she and Finnian had dined previously. Two plates of steaks

Karen approached casually, taking a plate and cutting

and pulled out a notebook from her bag—the very same

“take a

contents and sent them to Karen, although she couldn’t help wondering if the photos might differ from what was actually on