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

“Am I that

“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

lips together, clearly not expecting to be disbelieved. “Okay,

the siblings tensed

Vivienne looked at Ronald and said, “Lauren

face a mix of shock and hope.

were both surprised.

face at their question. He had never told his family about Lauren. Thus, he coughed

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

overwhelmed by the prospect of seeing

café,” Vivienne said, trying to

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

she trying to

darkened slightly, “You’ll find out when you get

Vivienne left the Brooks house, nonchalantly scanning the surroundings before getting

family?” he heard her

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

mom being targeted.

“So those incessant calls yesterday were from them? Well, let’s skip that.

he would have been so close to taking a bath with Vivienne! They thought they could call

a phone call.

brash voice came through, “Vivienne, I’m warning you, hand over the secret formula, or

paused mid-bite. “Let me

up, then grew louder,

grasp, and if you don’t want her to end up in a