The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne’s eyes crinkled with mirth, “Soren’s injuries still have yet to recover?”

Anna replied with a soft concern, “It’s healed, mostly. But the spot where the shrapnel hit him, it flares up whenever there’s a storm brewing. Ms. Vivienne, do you know of any remedy that could help him fully recover?”

“Sure do,” Vivienne said, her eyes gleaming with mischief as if she were privy to some juicy gossip. “But why are you asking on his behalf? Let him come to me. Treatment needs to be personalized, doesn’t it? How can I offer advice without seeing the patient himself?”

At Vivienne’s words, Anna’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. “I—I wanted him to come, but he’s a bit reluctant. He’s scared of Percival, and then there’s the matter of…”

Her voice trailed off, growing fainter and fainter as if she were grappling with how to articulate her thoughts. Her eyes were a tumultuous sea of turmoil and embarrassment.

Vivienne’s curiosity piqued even further. She had never seen Anna so flustered before.

Aaron, ever blunt and without reservations, blurted out, “Vivienne, let me fill you in. It’s all Kenneth’s fault. Lately, that boy’s been acting like a lovesick puppy, shadowing Anna every chance he gets.”

It wasn’t just his clinginess that was the issue.

The guy had been laying on the charm thick, using the most cringeworthy pick-up lines imaginable.

He’d gone all out on his confession to Anna; Aaron counted off on his fingers, “He started off with the classic—candlelit dinners, red roses, pretty standard. But then he went off the deep end with those heart-shaped music boxes, you know, the ones with glittery rainbow colors and Anna’s picture plastered all over them. And the cacti? Don’t even get me started, and then there was that snow globe…”

Vivienne listened, her face contorting with second-hand embarrassment.

She tried to maintain a straight face, but her twitching lips betrayed her. She had little hope that Aaron’s storytelling was going to improve.

Aaron opened his mouth, then burst into laughter, “You should’ve seen it, Vivienne. That snow globe—it had a tiny figurine of Kenneth inside, and when you shook it, it would play ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and the little guy would start dancing. Hilarious!”

figurine, singing

And dancing?

and looked at Anna with a

a smile. She had kept silent for fear

managed to hold back her laughter, Aaron had already had his fill of amusement back

he was laughing uncontrollably. Anna held back her impulse to slap Aaron and said, seething, “Go on, laugh. Let’s see

all those embarrassing things, yet

having the laugh of his life, and he didn’t fully grasp Anna’s threat. “So what? You think I’m scared of you? Or do you… Wait,

“Percival’s out dealing with business, isn’t he? Why would

tumbled out of Aaron before Anna

the truth, his handsome features momentarily crumbling. “Oh, you’re good, Anna. Here I was, being all

said we were ever on the same side?!” Anna retorted. She turned to Vivienne, “Ms. Vivienne, you tasked me with protecting him, and now

a picture of bewilderment. “Didn’t I tell you? That assignment was over ages ago. I thought you’d already rejoined

I could have left?” Anna’s triumph froze on her lips. “But you never told

could have

sooner, she wouldn’t have wasted her time with Kenneth at school! And

her mouth, then turned away guiltily; she

so much

found a moment to catch her

into an awkward

to withstand the tension, Aaron sidled up to Vivienne, “Say, Vivienne, I’ve been meaning to ask—can I

studies. Isn’t being an E-sports champion enough for you? Besides, the Miller