The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Dusk was settling in, painting the sky in shades of deep purples and blues. In the midst of this twilight, a modest ranch-style house stood under the gentle caress of moonlight. In front of the house, several old and withered trees swayed in the breeze, casting eerie shadows that danced in the dark.

Inside, a man was bound by ropes, suspended in mid-air. His head hung low, devoid of any signs of life.

Suddenly, a bucket of boiling hot water was poured over him from head to toe.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!" The man screamed, his face contorted in agony, his skin scalding as if it were being cooked, blisters forming rapidly.

"You awake now?" The voice was chilling, menacing.

Percival, clad in a simple black tee that hugged his broad shoulders and outlined his muscular chest, stood straight with a leather whip in hand. His eyes glimmered with a ruthless intent.

The man caught in this torturous ordeal was Gavin.

With a fierce lash of the whip, Percival drew blood, marking Gavin's flesh.

Gavin barely managed a whimper, engulfed in his own hellish pain. He couldn't fathom why he was at Percival's mercy. He had anticipated Abigail's betrayal but didn't expect Percival to be the one executing the punishment.

His eyes, bloodshot, welled with confusion and pain as tears mixed with blood dripped down. "Wasn't it Abigail who wanted me dead?"

Percival rinsed the whip in salt water, cleaning off the blood. "It was Abigail who sent the hit, and as far as she's concerned, you're already dead."

Shock and disbelief filled Gavin's eyes as he struggled to speak. "What do you mean?"

The room filled with the thick scent of blood, an aroma so overpowering it

to end up in Abigail's hands. She would've given you a quick death, but not me. I'll

isn't it? You're avenging her!" Gavin was

and wiped his hands with a wet wipe, his voice

I shouldn't have wronged Holly. I deserve hell for my

Percival drove nails into

agony overwhelmed him, and

the screams he'd heard. Despite knowing Abigail had sent another assassin for Gavin,

barely alive.

as the authorities were concerned, Gavin was

to the lab," Percival said,

Thomas nodded, driving off.

greeted them with

you, Vivienne. You've been a blessing to me

how much Percival longed to

the room, Holly sat propped up against her bed, her

each stroke of Victoria's hair, Holly's eyes welled with tears, "Victoria, you've grown so much. When I left, you were just a

with a whirlwind of emotions, nestled into Holly's embrace, "Mom, finding

and Vivienne entered. Holly's

Percival greeted, his face alight

with you. You never held it against me." "Aunt, there's no need for guilt. Regardless of the past, I've always cherished the bond we shared," Percival