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.

he quickly masked his irritation with

silence him, “Dad’s

respectfully and tiptoed back to his

over the phone that Dad’s recovery was going

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

from surgery, as if he could pass away at any moment. Arthur could only tell by the faint breathing that the old man was

and fearful of his elder

sweat beaded on Dracon’s forehead. “Arthur, I didn’t mean to keep things from you. It’s Dad; he didn’t want to distract you or Hector from your work, so he told me not

“If you ask me, Dad’s just been too soft on Percival. He thinks the guy wouldn’t hurt him, but you never can 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.

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

“Specter Healer?”

barely detectable smile flicker across his face, “Yes, but this person is elusive;

was the Specter Healer was a closely guarded

known as the War God of Veridia, would surely have the means to persuade Vivienne

might not be so amenable. It was the perfect scenario for Dracon to sit back and watch the two of them

custody. He administered the poison,

for the Specter Healer. As for Dad, a professional caregiver will be arriving

“What?”

proud. All my sisters have their achievements, and I’m the only one who’s fallen short. But I’ve been with Dad for years. No one knows his condition better than I do. Bringing

to rouse Yorick from his

look, “I agree

“Dad!”

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

…

finally had a moment to