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.

the resolve in Karen’s eyes, her uncertainty seemed

how about we go back

“Sounds perfect!”

on Vivienne’s cheeks, didn’t ask

Mansion, Zelda had prepared a hearty stew, knowing Karen

whole Perez family bustled about in

Except for Maddox.

in playing

saw Maddox’s head adorned with a variety of colorful

are you playing

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

harsh on the kid. So what if she didn’t finish her homework?

finally caught on; Natalia and Yasmine were impersonating Zelda

Yasmine stopped letting you

many nieces isn’t great either. Fredrick, when

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

in, “You want more kids? Go have them yourself. Those two rascals are enough for me. Dad, how about I

hands frantically at the suggestion of taking on his grandsons.

I’m done with that. They’re grown now, not

always treat

Carmen, it’s genetic.

grandpa’s side!” Karen added, munching

squeezed Vivienne’s cheek gently. “Don’t worry, when we have kids, I won’t treat them like

juice all over his face, finally spoke up, “Vivienne, how many kids are you planning on? I’ll get you a big

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

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

it

sighed deeply. “What’s happened to

abuzz with laughter

far away, Willa sat atop the garden

She turned and

Karen met Willa at the same small steak house where she and Finnian had dined previously. Two

approached casually, taking a plate

out a notebook from

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

contents and sent them to Karen, although she couldn’t help wondering if