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.”

Kala were silent for a few seconds before Kala spoke up, “Do you even

“Am I

“What do you think?”

each one heralded some impending

her lips together, clearly not expecting to be

the siblings tensed up

at Ronald and said, “Lauren wants

a mix of shock and

both surprised. “Who’s

their question. He had never told his family about Lauren. Thus, he coughed awkwardly and said to them, “I’ll explain in the

When and where? Is it just to meet, or is

overwhelmed by the prospect of seeing

said, trying to

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

trying to

gaze darkened slightly, “You’ll find out when

the Brooks house, nonchalantly scanning the

family?” he

in confusion.

Edwards has gotten wind of my mom being targeted. They want a word with me, so it can’t

skip that. What are you in the mood for? I’ll take you

those guys yesterday, he would have been so close to taking a bath with Vivienne!

by a phone call. Vivienne frowned at the unknown number

brash voice came through, “Vivienne, I’m warning you, hand

mid-bite. “Let me hear

grew louder, “If you don’t believe me, call the Littletons

voice was ice-cold, “Kaitlyn is in my grasp, and if you don’t want her to end up in a body bag, hand over the goods within