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.

resolve in Karen’s eyes,

start tomorrow. For today, how about we go back and have a

“Sounds perfect!”

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

had prepared a hearty stew, knowing Karen

family bustled about in preparation

Except for Maddox.

was immersed in playing house with

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

role are you playing today, Uncle Maddox?” Vivienne

heaved a sigh, only to be scolded by Natalia,

sighed, “I mean, come on, Yuri, don’t be so harsh on the kid.

were impersonating Zelda and Yuri

“Uncle Maddox, have Natalia and Yasmine stopped letting you play

nieces isn’t great either. Fredrick, when are you going

mouth with absolute precision

have them yourself. Those two rascals are enough for me.

enjoying the show, waved his hands frantically at the suggestion of taking on his grandsons. “No, no, no, keep them. If it’s too much, send them to your older brother; he loves

balked. “No way, I’m done with that. They’re grown now,

sighed. “Why do you always treat kids

slightly. “Aunt Carmen, it’s genetic.

side!” Karen added, munching

cheek gently. “Don’t worry, when we have kids, I won’t

up, “Vivienne, how many kids are you planning on? I’ll get you

the round bed for yourself!” All the men, except Percival, retorted

couple of thuds later, two bumps formed on Maddox’s head—one from a watermelon seed and the other from the

to ask; it was Jasper and

happened to this wicked

Mansion was abuzz with

away, Willa sat atop the

presence. She turned and

away from the Perez Mansion, Karen met Willa at the same small steak

you get back?” Karen approached casually, taking a plate and cutting the steak

out a notebook from her bag—the very same one she

the notebook to Karen and said, “take a look. Maybe it will be

told, Willa had already snapped photos of the contents and sent them to Karen, although she couldn’t help wondering if the photos might differ from what was actually on the pages. After all, the original is