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.”

a few seconds before Kala spoke up, “Do you even believe

sighed. “Am I

“What do you think?”

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,

clearly not expecting to be disbelieved. “Okay, fine, I do have something

the siblings tensed up

Ronald and said,

abruptly, his face a mix

and Kala were both surprised.

of redness appeared on Ronald’s face at their question. He had never told his family about Lauren.

want to see me? When and where? Is it just to meet, or

clearly overwhelmed by the prospect of

said, trying to maintain patience. “She didn’t

bit his lip, then looked up determinedly, “Why wouldn’t she contact

to distance herself

find

watched as Vivienne left the Brooks house, nonchalantly scanning the

the Edwards family?” he

Edwards family?” Percival echoed in confusion. “Aren’t we

of my mom being targeted. They want a word with me, so

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

have been so close to taking a bath with Vivienne! They thought they could call Vivienne back to question her?

by a phone call. Vivienne frowned at the unknown number

I’m warning you, hand

mid-bite. “Let me

then grew louder, “If you don’t believe me,

you don’t want her to end up in a body bag, hand over