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

up at him, a slight smile gracing her

her inside, chuckling. “We’re delighted to have you; of course, you’re welcome! Please, have a

settled onto the couch, turning to Kala. “How have

to see Vivienne’s smiling face, which didn’t seem to

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 by a renowned filmmaker. It’s a

nodded. “Sounds fantastic! Keep

for you? I saw on your Facebook yesterday that you and

swearing she would marry him. But recently, she discovered that the man was none other than

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

with a soft

Ronald, her tone shifting. “I came to

blinked in surprise. “What happened to

had been out of

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

reply, Ronald added, “The kid wakes up and

laughter faltered as his fingers

over his

Ronald chuckled awkwardly. “Vivienne, why are you

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

“What do you

a beat. “Vivienne, are

was Ronald’s

understand Ronald not showing much grief – after all, their blood ties were somewhat distant. But Carl was different; he was Ronald’s

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