The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The slap never landed on Victoria's face.

Instead, it was caught in unison by Harrison and Victoria. Their expressions froze momentarily before they pushed Sophie out with force!

Someone with no background in martial arts would easily end up on the floor, which is exactly what happened to Sophie. She crashed, landing squarely on her behind.

The pain in her tailbone was excruciating, making her curl up on the ground, yet she still found the strength to curse, "Victoria, you're going to pay for this! I just wanted to help you, and this is how you repay me? I'm telling Dad!"

Her shrill voice echoed around the diner.

Normally, Victoria would have charged at Sophie, fists ready. But with Harrison there, she lost interest in the squabble. "Harrison, why didn't I see it before? You have a thing for Sophie, don't you? Seeing her humiliated bothers you, right?"

"If you had just told me, I would've packed my bags already. Tell my father we're getting a divorce, let you two lovebirds have your happy ending."

Harrison was on the verge of exploding, "Victoria, can't you act normal for once?! If I lose the trial tomorrow, I'll end up like Kipling!"

"And then, who in the Abernathy family will truly stand by you?"

Victoria scoffed, "If you didn't want Sophie here, you should've said something at home. Oh, but you're scared of being exposed as a hypocrite, worried Madeline would spill the beans to my father?"

"Harrison, have some dignity! If you can't convince Vivienne to back down, don't blame me. I'm done playing the devoted wife!"

With a dramatic wave of her hand and eyes wide with anger or perhaps an act, she declared, "Whatever happens with this lawsuit, it's none of my business!"

"Is anyone even listening to me?!"

in pain, struggled to her feet, her voice hoarse from shouting. She was

to her. Harrison, with a fierce look in his eyes, ignored Sophie completely, "Victoria, stop being unreasonable! If I get locked up, what good will it do you? Remember, for better or worse, we're

snort, Victoria turned and walked away, no longer interested

scheme, she would never have married him

north of Rivenwood, nestled among the

stop in front of the mansion. A

door opened quickly, and

in a red dress lounged on the sofa, swirling a glass of red wine, her

"Abigail, Harrison's trial begins tomorrow. Gavin has been scrambling to get him

of her wine, her fingers trailing along the

the Abernathy family out of the

stood, approaching a rose in the windowsill, "If

"Yes," the man replied.

adding,

ancient warrior lineage under scrutiny,

as she approached him, "Do you think

don't understand!"

a big show

through her,

"But how could she know you're connected to

heartily, "Because she's

He's been on the battlefield his whole

from me to him," Abigail said, looking out the window with a cryptic smile, "I