The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne lifted a hand and gently tilted Mara’s chin upward, her expression icy, “Do I need to remind you of the way your grandmother treated my mother-in-law? My mother-in-law was nothing but kind and generous to the Boyd family. What reason did she have to be ashamed in front of your grandma?”

Mara bit her lip hard, clearly struggling with resentment, “But you can’t just take people! I admit I did wrong, and you used me as a guinea pig—that punishment I accept. But what did Huxley do? He was minding his own business at home, and you took him prisoner. How is that fair?”

Vivienne’s face remained expressionless as she released Mara’s chin and wiped her hands with a tissue. With a calm voice, she commanded, “Thomas, bring it in.”

In no time, Thomas entered the room, carrying over his shoulder an android that was the spitting image of Huxley.

With a thud, the robot was unceremoniously dumped on the floor, landing right next to Mara’s feet.

The android’s lifeless eyes stared directly at the siblings, sending Mara into a shriek of fear as she turned and buried herself in Huxley’s embrace.

Huxley’s face paled, his anger from days of captivity dissipating under Vivienne’s icy gaze.

It was as if he suddenly became aware of the gravity of his situation.

His face was ashen, and with trembling hands, he shielded Mara behind him. “What is this thing? Why does it look exactly like me?”

Vivienne locked eyes with him. “What? You don’t recognize this ‘thing’?”

“How could I?” Huxley retorted immediately, “Is this an android? Why would you make one that looks like me? Vivienne, look at me. I’m nothing compared to my sister; I have no chance against you—why can’t you just leave me alone?”

The confusion and helplessness on his face did not seem feigned.

Anna believed she had encountered countless smooth-talking criminals and could often tell when they were lying—not always, but at least four times out of five.

But now, facing Huxley, she couldn’t tell if he was lying at all.

had been suppressed by the higher-ups. “Mr. Boyd, even if you

Huxley hesitated, “Should I?”

resting on the android’s head where there was a hole. “This android was found in my mother-in-law’s hospital room. Huxley, that’s quite bold of you, isn’t it? Messing with my

in Huxley’s heart as he realized Percival seemed convinced the android

fists as he scrambled to think of a way to talk himself

bear to look

hands clutched Huxley’s clothes tightly, her eyes flickering with nervousness and ferocity

Damn it!

the hell were

a mess; what could he possibly do that was so

for an excuse to get

let

Huxley? He was kidnapped and taken to M State before—who knows

with a soft, analytical

a look, their eyebrows raised as if they were actually considering Mara’s argument, nodding for her

near-affirmative gestures bolstered Mara’s

to hope as he

like—so timid he wouldn’t even harm a chicken. Besides, if he really wanted to harm your

in Huxley’s body

a dark glint

she said at last, her lips curving into a smile for

Huxley stammered, “I—I think my sister is right. Vivienne, is it possible there’s a mole in your operation? After all, only those on the inside would

bloomed like a poisonous poppy, chilling to

in her smile and tossed the tissue she had used into the trash, speaking

hawk-like eyes fixed on Huxley, his voice deep and rough, “Yes, we should investigate thoroughly. We can’t be wronging my cousin,