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.

them loading their pots, pans, and bags into the car, her

up, “Leave those

belongings, adding, “And don’t bother with clothes either. I’ll have someone

we possibly accept

Vivienne, “Kaitlyn, please do

“But…”

further, Vivienne continued, “That five hundred dollars you gave us may have been a small gesture for you, but for my mother and me,

resolve, Kaitlyn nodded

ever got the chance, she would repay Vivienne. The five hundred dollars she had given didn’t

were all in

sorry, Thaddeus, Isolde, I have urgent matters to attend to today and can’t take you out. I’ll drop you

Thaddeus and Isolde understood

car stopped in front of Everview Villas, a neighborhood of affluence. As they stepped inside, Kaitlyn and her family felt out of

felt as though she

and she

where Matthew’s crew had already

Matthew lay Tyler on the sofa and began examining

watched nervously from

later, Vivienne stood up and announced, “It’s not a big problem. Starting the day after tomorrow, I’ll come every morning to perform acupuncture and apply a medicinal salve I’ve made. If all goes well,

in-laws gaped in amazement. “Really?

honest, while Kaitlyn was shocked and hoped against hope when Vivienne said she could heal Tyler, she didn’t believe it for the most

and dating, not medicine. She might know a few tricks, but

press down on Tyler’s leg, eliciting a slight response in those legs that had never moved in years. Although she didn’t understand how, the prospect of

be healed, the weight of guilt she had carried for so long might just

she would gladly die if