The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

For the next hour, Arthur was practically doing sprints between the bathroom and the living room of the Perez household. No sooner had he plopped down on the couch than he was rushing off to the bathroom again. The rest of the Perez family had settled comfortably on the sofa, watching Arthur's frantic dashes with a calm detachment, thankful for his misery sparing them from drinking the laxative-laced sugar water Vivienne had prepared. Maddox, ever the loose cannon, had even asked Vivienne why Arthur got a special drink and they didn't. Jasper, livid, was about to unleash a tirade when Vivienne coolly remarked, "You don't need sugar water. That's for heartbreakers." Jasper and the rest of the Perez men erupted in approval, "Sweet revenge!" Percival, ever the joker, chimed in, "Thanks for taking the bullet fo us, future father-in-law!"

After countless trips to the bathroom, Arthur was at his wits' end, pleading, "Vivienne, please, I can't take it anymore! Give me the antidote or I'm done for!" The agony of wiping was all too real for him. Vivienne fixed him with a serious stare, "You're not my dad!" "Okay, okay! I'm not just give me the antidote. Whatever you say goes!" Arthur was beyond caring about pride at this point; stopping the diarrhea was his only concern. "Whatever I say?" Vivienne's eyes sparkled mischievously. Arthur felt like he'd boarded a pirate ship, but with no other options, he nodded. Vivienne smiled, produced a pill from her pocket, and popped it into Arthur's mouth. Soon after, Arthur's stomach calmed down.

Post-antidote, Vivienne stood up, a sly smile on her face, "Just wait here." She returned shortly with a makeup kit in hand and approached Arthur with a commanding tone, "Sit!" Arthur obeyed. Vivienne, opening the makeup kit—a gift from Kala Brooks that had gone almost unused for a year-began to work on Arthur's face with a foundation brush. The Perez family gathered around, curious. But when they recognized the pattern emerging on Arthur's face, laughter erupted. Maddox couldn't contain himself, "Oh my goodness! Vivienne, are you drawing a turtle on Arthur's face? It's hilariously fitting!" Arthur, clueless about the artwork being performed on his face, could only sigh, knowing all too well that Vivienne's swift antidote provision came with strings attached.

Arthur remarked dryly, "Don't celebrate too soon." Maddox scoffed, "Why not? You deserve it for hurting my sister.

run for it, only to swallow something tossed into his mouth by a swift figure. Seconds later, his stomach

person still battling the effects of a laxative-laced drink. Aside from Arthur, who was stuck with the unfortunate look of a green turtle, everyone in Percival's crew, including the Perez clan, was quite a sight for sore eyes. Percival had his face painted to resemble a strawberry cheesecake.

won't complain!" "Sure thing!" Vivienne replied with a gleeful squint. Maddox instantly regretted his words! He was certain Vivienne would take him up on his offer. And sure enough! After handing Maddox the antidote, Vivienne began to work her magic on his face with the ease of a flowing river. When Vivienne was done, Arthur couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Ha-ha-ha! A pile of poop! Who was making fun of me earlier?" He looked at

an end, Vivienne suddenly let out a