The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Walter scratched his itchy chin, his voice tinged with hesitation, “Miss, maybe we should just head back.”

Vivienne, that woman was sharp as a tack.

Even if she hadn’t sniffed out the oddities, Percival surely would have.

Walter couldn’t fathom what Victoria was thinking.

To just drop Kaitlyn off at the suburban mall and then drag herself here to suffer – it was like setting herself up to be stood up.

As Walter silently grumbled, he dared not voice his true thoughts aloud.

Victoria was running out of patience.

It was getting late into the afternoon, and still, no one had shown up, which led her to bellow in frustration, “Looks like we’ve got no choice but to go with plan B. We’re not waiting any longer! Let’s get out of here and deal with Vivienne later!”

…

The next day, at the Linklater residence.

Arthur had been tied up with business at the Vanguard Agency, and it was a rare moment for him to be home.

Yorick was taking his siesta, and he hadn’t allowed anyone to disturb him.

Ascending the stairs alone, Arthur pushed open the door to his father’s room and saw him reclining in his rocking chair, eyes closed in repose.

Dracon was seated beside him, but at the sound of the door, he looked up.

quickly masked his

raised his hand to silence him, “Dad’s

but he nodded respectfully and tiptoed back to his father’s

on his father, his eyes darkened, “Didn’t you say over the phone that Dad’s recovery

was so pale it was almost translucent. His lips were chapped, and his once full

frail than when he had first awakened from surgery, as if he could pass away at any moment. Arthur could only tell by the faint breathing that the old man was still clinging

was both envious and

Arthur’s probing, sweat beaded on Dracon’s forehead. “Arthur, I didn’t mean to keep things from you. It’s Dad; he didn’t

tell what’s going on inside someone’s head. And his wife, she was finally acknowledged by the Brooks family, only to see them fall into ruin soon after. I’ve heard rumors that she wasn’t exactly innocent in that debacle. If Percival would marry such a woman,

raised his eyes to gauge Arthur’s unreadable reaction, he continued, “It was after taking the supplements Percival brought that Dad got poisoned. Now, his condition’s been worsening day by day. I’m afraid only a Specter Healer can

“Specter Healer?”

interest, Dracon let a barely detectable smile flicker across his face, “Yes, but this person is elusive; not just

that Vivienne was the Specter Healer was a closely guarded secret within the Linklater family, a secret Dracon had

of Veridia, would surely have

course, Dracon knew that if Arthur tried to strong-arm her, Vivienne might not be so amenable. It was the perfect scenario for Dracon to sit back and watch the two of them duke it out

administered the poison, so he must have the antidote!” Dracon

professional caregiver will

“What?”

never made anyone proud. All my sisters have their achievements, and I’m the only one who’s fallen short. But I’ve

to rouse

with an inscrutable look, “I agree with your brother. You need a break; go rest for a

“Dad!”

in a low tone, “Dracon, step outside for a moment.

…

Vivienne finally had a