The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Night fell over the Brooks household.

Kala and Darren ambled into their home, exhausted from an evening event, too tired to even think about removing their makeup.

Ronald was lounging in the living room; upon seeing them, he greeted them with a grin. “You guys are back. There’s some goodies in the kitchen.”

Kala stretched languidly, about to respond, when a knock came at the door. “Who could that be at this hour?”

The door swung open to reveal a familiar figure, and Kala paused, blinking in disbelief.

Rubbing her eyes and looking again, she exclaimed, “Vivienne?”

She was utterly baffled!

Ever since the Brooks family had been rocked by the scandal involving Scott and Judith, Vivienne had become a stranger to their home.

Although Kala and Vivienne occasionally crossed paths, those instances were few and far between.

Vivienne was always so busy, hardly ever seen.

Kala recalled that the last time they had met was six months ago, a brief encounter en route to the office, nothing more than a hurried greeting before going separate ways.

But now, an uneasy premonition nagged at her – what could Vivienne’s unexpected visit signify?

Since their grandmother’s passing, Vivienne had moved out of the Brooks residence, and her last visit had been to confront Scott.

Without any apparent reason, Vivienne’s sudden arrival couldn’t help but stir fears of impending bad news.

Please, no more shocks – her fragile heart couldn’t take it!

the late visit, managed to say, “Vivienne, what brings you here all of a

smile gracing her lips. “Am I not

you not be?” Ronald was quick to usher her inside, chuckling. “We’re delighted to

turning to

to see Vivienne’s smiling face, which didn’t seem to portend trouble, Kala felt a weight lift

an award for Best Actress, and in a few

nodded. “Sounds fantastic! Keep

asked, “And you? How have things been for you? I saw on your Facebook

had helped her, swearing she would marry him. But recently, she discovered that

had learned it was Percival, she didn’t even know what he looked like. Had he been single, she would have pursued

replied with a soft

turned to Ronald, her tone shifting. “I came to tell you

blinked in surprise. “What happened

swamped with work, she had been out of the

“I’ve been tied up with the bionic robot project and couldn’t go fetch him myself. I was worried when I

Vivienne could reply, Ronald added, “The kid wakes up and doesn’t even tell us; calls

faltered as his fingers twitched on the

eyes flickered over his

chuckled awkwardly. “Vivienne, why

Vivienne said, “I’m curious to see the expression of

“What do you mean by

a beat. “Vivienne,

Carl was Ronald’s

and uncle, she could understand Ronald not showing much grief – after all, their blood ties were somewhat distant. But Carl

at Vivienne with hopeful eyes, waiting for her to