The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Ronald had just tackled a thorny issue at work when he arrived home. Pushing open the front door, he barely managed to call out for Kala when he noticed several people sitting in his living room. His heart skipped a beat. “Vivienne, Mr. Ellington, what brings you here? Is there some news about Kala?”

As his brain caught up, he exhaled in relief.

Carrying his briefcase over, Kala handed him a glass of water while Carl, who had finally gotten a chance to come home, had pushed aside a piping hot breakfast for the gathering.

Vivienne observed everything with a knowing look. She realized Ronald must have already filled Carl in.

The remaining three Brooks siblings were now, at least, living together harmoniously.

“I just came to check in, no big deal,” she said, tapping the armrest of the sofa and tilting her chin towards the android in the corner.

Almost immediately, Ronald’s relaxed demeanor shifted, “Vivienne, believe me, I’ve destroyed all those things. Not one left!”

At this point, Kala also spoke in defense of Ronald, “Vivienne, is there some kind of misunderstanding?”

Kala had been asking this since Thomas came in carrying that thing, but Vivienne had refused to explain until Ronald returned, and Kala was left with no choice but to wait.

Seeing Ronald’s anxious expression, Carl commented dryly, “Vivienne, I admit my brother was a jerk before. But he had his reasons, and look at him now, fighting so hard to live. That thing over there, it can’t be his doing.”

There was an unexpected unity among them.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, innocently spreading her hands, “Who said it was his doing? Why the panic?”

The Brooks trio exchanged looks, their expressions screaming that they were expecting some sort of interrogation.

Percival watched with an amused grin as Vivienne teased the Brooks siblings, his eyes filled with indulgence.

Thomas and Anna, standing by, were torn between calling out Vivienne’s wicked sense of humor or laughing at the Brooks siblings’ baffled looks.

Rubbing her temples, Vivienne said with a sigh, “I was just bored and thought I’d drop by.”

for a few seconds before Kala spoke

“Am I

“What do you think?”

Brooks family’s crisis, Vivienne’s visits had been rare, and each one heralded some impending issue. Her claim to just be visiting, especially with an android in tow, was

expecting to be disbelieved. “Okay, fine, I do have something to tell

words, the siblings tensed up

and said, “Lauren wants to see

a mix of shock and

surprised. “Who’s Lauren?”

question. He had never told his family about Lauren. Thus, he coughed awkwardly and said to

“Vivienne, does Lauren really want to see me? When and where? Is it just to meet, or is something wrong? Should

clearly overwhelmed by the

tomorrow at noon at the café,” Vivienne said, trying to maintain patience. “She didn’t say why. Just

up determinedly, “Why wouldn’t she

trying to distance herself from

“You’ll find out when you get

heart, Ronald watched as Vivienne left the Brooks house, nonchalantly scanning the surroundings before getting into a car

Edwards family?” he heard

Percival echoed in confusion. “Aren’t we going for

my mom being targeted. They want a word with me, so it can’t be

yesterday were from them? Well, let’s skip that. What are you in the mood for? I’ll take you

a bath with

by a phone call. Vivienne frowned at the unknown number but

through, “Vivienne, I’m warning you,

paused mid-bite. “Let me hear Kaitlyn’s

grew louder, “If you

ice-cold, “Kaitlyn is in my grasp, and if you don’t want her to end up in