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

“Sounds perfect!”

didn’t ask any questions. He took their bags and

hearty stew, knowing Karen was coming home

about in

Except for Maddox.

was immersed in playing house with Natalia

Karen entered, they saw Maddox’s head adorned with a variety of colorful hair

you playing today,

heaved a sigh, only to be scolded by Natalia, “Vivienne, don’t

harsh on the kid. So what if

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

and Yasmine stopped letting you play

“Having too many nieces isn’t great either. Fredrick, when

a piece of watermelon into Maddox’s mouth with absolute precision and

kids? Go have them yourself. Those two rascals are enough for me. Dad, how about I bring them

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

with that. They’re grown

sighed. “Why do you always

lips curled slightly. “Aunt Carmen, it’s genetic. My mom

grandpa’s side!”

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

how many kids are you planning

yourself!” All the men, except Percival, retorted in

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

it was Jasper and

deeply. “What’s happened

was abuzz with

away, Willa sat atop the garden wall,

the first to sense Willa’s presence. She turned and saw Willa waving at

met Willa at the same small steak house where

casually, taking a plate and cutting the steak

side salad and pulled out a notebook

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

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 always