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.

pans, and bags into the car, her eyebrow

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

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

can we possibly

but was cut off by Vivienne, “Kaitlyn, please do as

“But…”

continued, “That five hundred dollars you gave us may have been a small gesture for you, but for my mother and me, it was a lifesaving grace. What I own now

resolve, Kaitlyn nodded reluctantly. “Alright

she had agreed, she thought to herself that if she ever got the chance, she would repay Vivienne. The five

they were all in the

to Thaddeus and Isolde, “I’m sorry, Thaddeus, Isolde, I have urgent matters to attend to today and can’t take you out. I’ll drop you off at the Hawthorn Mansion.

and Isolde understood that Vivienne was helping a family in

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

Kaitlyn, who felt as though

fallen from grace, and she hadn’t

Matthew’s crew had

on the sofa and began examining

nervously from the side,

tomorrow, I’ll come every morning to perform acupuncture and apply a medicinal salve I’ve made. If all goes

amazement.

honest, while Kaitlyn was shocked and hoped against hope when Vivienne said

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

legs that had never

weight of guilt she had carried

family had shouldered too much. If it were possible, she would gladly die if it meant they could have a moment’s peace. But even death seemed