The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Karen’s identity was shrouded in the utmost secrecy; only the highest echelons within the hospital were privy to her details. The nurses and doctors, not privy to such clearance, only knew that Percival had brought in a VIP patient who was also a knockout beauty.

Aaron couldn’t bear to listen to the idle gossip any longer. “Have you lost your minds? What’s there to admire about someone who’s playing the field?”

His sudden outburst startled the two young nurses, who scurried out of the elevator.

Alone in the lift, Aaron fumed over Percival’s audacity. How could he let Vivienne wait on his old flame like that? Sick! Despicable! Some people just shouldn’t exist!

Upon exiting the elevator, Aaron used his access card to make his way to the penthouse floor. When he encountered the security guard, he flashed the Nine Mystics Society’s token.

As a member of the Nine Mystics Society, the guard recognized the emblem of authority and allowed Aaron to pass without question.

“Master Aaron, the young master is not in. Please wait here,” one of Percival’s men said, assuming Aaron was there to see Vivienne.

Aaron pocketed his token. “It’s fine. Don’t bother about me. I’m just looking around. No need to tell Vivienne I was here; I don’t want to disturb her.”

“Understood.”

After giving his instructions, Aaron approached the hospital room.

Peering through the glass, Aaron saw Percival tenderly wiping the brow of the woman on the bed with an utterly uncharacteristic gentleness.

So tender, it couldn’t possibly be Percival!

No mistake about it: this woman was Percival’s first love!

“Percival, you sleaze, one wasn’t enough for you, huh? Alright, just you wait!” Aaron cursed inwardly.

He was about to burst in but held himself back. He had to wake Vivienne up first; he couldn’t let her be manipulated by this cad any longer!

With that thought, he turned and left.

Just as Aaron stepped into the elevator, Vivienne emerged from her office, catching only a glimpse of a retreating figure.

“Aaron? He came and didn’t look for me?” She wondered.

However, Vivienne didn’t dwell on it and entered the ward. “How’s it going? Did you wipe my mom’s face?”

“Vivienne, I hope I

Wolf, you really have no knack for this

the washcloth Percival had been using, only to

head. “I thought

off her face,” Vivienne said, wetting the cloth to

me take over. You didn’t even wring out the cloth properly, and you’re getting

I didn’t

it, we’re both not cut out for

for Karen was handed over

out of the hospital, running straight into

photo; it feels off. Take

spotted the

did you find

found it in Percival’s nightstand. At first, I thought it was Vivienne, but on closer inspection, it’s not. I knew my

a novel’s worth of scenarios

tsk, tsk. She hadn’t expected her offhand remark

was fixated

part

in

get close to Percival

couldn’t be

that, Aaron turned

where are you

going to tell

“No, if you go to Vivienne, wouldn’t that be betraying me? I still

dangerous this ‘Karen’ is? I can’t let anyone

of it? You have the means. If it were Percival, he’d

words struck a

stood there, contemplating. “Right, I can

relief; Aaron had taken the

my help? You can’t just whisk away a living person from the hospital on your own, can you?”

ensure Karen’s demise. Mara

gave Mara a once-over. “Fine, let’s meet tonight under the hospital. I’ll go and get

relieved as they parted

still for a moment, watching Mara’s retreating