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 sudden? Is there

slight smile gracing her

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

onto the couch, turning to Kala. “How

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

grabbed a soda from the fridge for Vivienne, saying cheerfully, “I’ve been great, actually. Just snagged an award for Best Actress, and in a few days, I’m off to shoot a movie directed

nodded. “Sounds fantastic! Keep it

How have things been for you? I

who had helped her, swearing she would

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

replied with a soft

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

surprise. “What happened to

work, she had been out of the loop with family

bionic robot project and couldn’t go fetch him myself. I was

reply, Ronald added, “The kid wakes up

faltered as his fingers

his hand, the

gaze, Ronald chuckled awkwardly. “Vivienne, why are you looking

the expression of a man who’s personally responsible for his own brother’s critical injuries

stiffened. “What do you mean

a beat. “Vivienne, are you suggesting Ronald

was

after all, their blood ties were somewhat distant. But Carl was different; he was Ronald’s biological brother. How could he do

looked at Vivienne with hopeful eyes, waiting for her to say it was just a