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 to fade

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

“Sounds perfect!”

on Vivienne’s cheeks, didn’t ask any questions. He took their bags and

prepared a hearty stew, knowing Karen

about in preparation

Except for Maddox.

in playing house with Natalia

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

are you playing today,

to be scolded by Natalia, “Vivienne, don’t

don’t be so harsh on the kid. So what if she didn’t finish her

and Yasmine were impersonating Zelda and Yuri Perez, and Maddox was,

Yasmine stopped letting you

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

Maddox’s mouth with absolute precision and said, “Shut it. I want

in, “You want more kids? Go have them yourself. Those two rascals are

the suggestion of taking on his grandsons. “No, no, no, keep them. If it’s too much, send them to your

I’m done with

you always

it’s genetic.

runs in your grandpa’s side!”

“Don’t worry, when we have kids, I won’t treat them

his face, finally spoke up, “Vivienne, how many kids

for yourself!” All the men, except Percival,

on Maddox’s head—one

it was Jasper and Fredrick’s

“What’s happened

abuzz with laughter

atop the garden wall,

She turned

the Perez Mansion, Karen met Willa at the same small steak house where she and Finnian

taking a plate

of the side salad and pulled out a notebook from her bag—the very same one

said, “take a look.

snapped photos of the contents and sent them to Karen, although she couldn’t help wondering if the photos might differ from