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!

to say, “Vivienne, what brings you here all

slight smile gracing her lips. “Am I

be?” Ronald was quick to usher her inside, chuckling. “We’re delighted

couch, turning to Kala.

face, which didn’t seem to portend trouble, Kala felt a weight lift from

Actress, and in a few days,

fantastic! Keep

been for you? I saw on your Facebook

had once harbored feelings for a man who had helped her, swearing she would marry him. But recently, she

Vivienne’s marriage to Percival, Kala was genuinely happy for her. To Kala, the man who had helped her was no more than a shadow. Until she had learned it was Percival, she didn’t even know what he looked like. Had he been single, she would have pursued him without hesitation. But now, she graciously stepped aside, wishing

Vivienne replied with a

Vivienne turned to Ronald, her tone shifting.

surprise. “What

with work, she had been out of the loop with family

tied up with the bionic robot project and couldn’t go fetch him myself. I was

wakes up

as his fingers twitched

his hand, the

awkwardly. “Vivienne, why are

said, “I’m curious to see the expression of a man who’s personally responsible for his own brother’s critical injuries when he

stiffened. “What do you mean by

heart skipped a beat. “Vivienne,

was

could understand Ronald not showing much grief – after all, their blood ties were somewhat distant. But Carl was different; he was Ronald’s biological brother. How could he do such a

eyes, waiting for her to say it was just a