The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Kaitlyn stared at Vivienne in shock, her mind replaying Vivienne’s words over and over. She had just claimed that she could heal Tyler’s legs.

Life hadn’t been kind to her; she had been living worse than a stray, let alone curing Tyler’s leg.

After Tyler’s car accident years ago, his family had sold their house and spent every penny on his medical bills, only to be told that his legs were beyond repair.

She never imagined that she would hear someone say that there was a chance to heal Tyler’s legs.

This was truly the first piece of good news she had heard in years.

It took Kaitlyn a moment to snap back to reality. Then, she almost fell to her knees in front of Vivienne.

Vivienne quickly steadied her.

Kaitlyn, unable to kneel, clutched Vivienne’s arm, tears streaming down her face. “Ms. Hawthorn, please, I beg you to save my husband. If you can heal him, I’ll do anything for you, anything at all.”

Sadie and Julian also came over, and without a word, they knelt before Vivienne.

Vivienne, still holding Kaitlyn, couldn’t free her hands to help them up, so they just knelt there before her. “Ms. Hawthorn, we’re begging you, please save our son. If you can get him back on his feet, we’ll be indebted to you forever.”

Vivienne massaged her temples and had Kaitlyn stand properly before helping her in-laws up, saying somewhat resignedly, “I’ve given my word, and I intend to heal your son. Please, no more kneeling.”

Vivienne wouldn’t have had the patience for anyone else, but Kaitlyn was her benefactor, so she tried to be as gentle as possible. “Kaitlyn, pack your things. We’re leaving now.”

Kaitlyn hesitated, but seeing Vivienne’s seriousness, she only paused for two seconds before agreeing, “Okay, I’ll come with you.”

The Littletons didn’t have much of value, but Kaitlyn still brought some essentials.

In her eyes, staying at Vivienne’s house was already a huge favor; she didn’t want to impose any further.

saw them loading their pots, pans, and

“Leave those behind. I’ve had everything you’ll

bother with

can we possibly accept

cut off by Vivienne, “Kaitlyn, please do

“But…”

but for my mother and me, it was a lifesaving grace.

resolve, Kaitlyn nodded

agreed, she thought to herself that if she ever got the chance, she would repay Vivienne. The five hundred dollars she had given didn’t warrant all

all in

Isolde, I have urgent matters to attend to today and can’t take you out. I’ll drop you off at the Hawthorn Mansion. You can spend time with Amelia, and

bit disappointed at not going out, Thaddeus and Isolde understood that Vivienne was helping a

front of Everview Villas, a neighborhood of affluence.

as though she was

over a decade since the Littletons had fallen from grace, and she hadn’t seen

crew had

had Matthew lay Tyler on the sofa and

watched nervously from the side, barely

I’ll come every morning to perform acupuncture and apply a medicinal salve I’ve made. If all goes well, he should be on his feet

and her in-laws gaped in amazement.

while Kaitlyn was shocked and hoped against hope when Vivienne said she

Kids her age were busy with fashion and dating, not medicine. She might

that had never moved in years. Although she didn’t understand how, the prospect of

weight of guilt she

much. If it were possible, she would gladly die if it meant they could have a moment’s peace.