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?"

continuing his relentless assault. The room filled with the thick scent of

been grateful to end up in Abigail's hands. She would've given you a quick death, but not me. I'll make you beg for death," Percival seethed with

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

whip aside and wiped his hands with a wet wipe, his voice cold as ice, "Killing

just end it. I shouldn't have wronged Holly. I deserve hell

late for regrets." With those final words, Percival drove nails into Gavin's wrists

him, and he

outside, visibly shaken by the screams he'd heard. Despite knowing Abigail had sent another assassin for Gavin, her focus hadn't been on harming any

he and Leopold arrived, Gavin was barely alive. It was

authorities were concerned, Gavin was already a dead man, replaced

the lab," Percival said, giving an

Thomas nodded, driving off.

Vivienne greeted them with a

You've been a blessing to me and

suggested, knowing how much

sat propped up against her bed, her face

welled with tears, "Victoria, you've grown so much. When I

"Mom, finding you

Percival and Vivienne entered. Holly's gaze

greeted, his face alight with

ties 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