The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

secret all these years... because of this..."

Time hadn't etched its usual marks on Daphne's face; she still carried herself with an unwavering grace, her eyes sparkling with the same vibrancy.

Only her once neatly tied ponytail had given way to shoulder-length waves.

She glanced down slightly, "Hello, I'm Daphne. And you are?"

Vivienne met her gaze, though it felt as if Daphne's eyes were looking through her, searching for someone else, "I've heard from little birdies, Vivienne, that you carry the spirit of the captain. How is she?" Vivienne bit her lip before responding, "My mom's doing well, but she's not in Rivenwood at the moment. She and my dad are on a second honeymoon abroad."

"She'd be thrilled to know you're back."

At this, Daphne paused, "And your father is?"

Vivienne didn't hesitate, "Arthur."

Hearing the name, a flicker of surprise crossed Daphne's face, and she shook her head in disbelief, "I never would've guessed. The captain's heart belonged to him. No wonder she kept his name a Vivienne felt a strange twinge inside her but quickly shook it off.

The person before her couldn't possibly be her.

Others might, but not Daphne.

Realizing her own train of thoughts, Daphne suddenly clapped her hands together, "Look at me, getting all caught up in memories. Please, have a seat."

She moved to pour some water, only to find the kettle empty. Turning to them, she said, "You two chat, I'll go fill it up."

Anna nodded. Seeing Daphne with the kettle, she cautioned, "Mom, be careful. Don't burn yourself."

Daphne smiled reassuringly, asking her to keep Vivienne company while she was gone.

Left in the room, Vivienne and Anna were alone.

Vivienne glanced at Anna, motioning her to extend her arm, "Let me see that injury."

Anna hesitated but obliged under Vivienne's firm gaze.

Vivienne gently lifted her fingers from Anna's arm after a moment, understanding the situation. She pulled out a bottle, handing Anna a Miracle Cure pill. Anna knew of the pill's extraordinary healing properties, but was too embarrassed to accept, "Vivienne, it'll heal in a few days. Don't waste it on me..."

"I need you in top shape these coming days. You wouldn't want to be a burden to the team."

left Anna with

bear her own pain, but she would never drag

Anna swallow the pill, Vivienne finally asked, "Why keep it a secret from

notice. She straightened up, "I'm sorry, Vivienne. It was against the rules. I'll accept

wanted to know about

never kept secrets. Her eyes dropped slightly, "I had no choice but to use this

an eyebrow, having guessed the reason but was still taken aback by Anna's determination,

believe my mom came back. I didn't tell anyone and just followed

the disbelief and then the overwhelming joy of finding her own mother. Yet, some truths demanded a rational approach

immediate, her pupils

"Don't worry. I just want to ensure no overlaps in our stories. No one will

Anna caught on.

how could she mistake her own mother? Vivienne

thinking, "It was about

ago?" Vivienne

I noticed someone trailing me as I left the lab. I lost them quickly, thinking it was a hitman. But then, I saw her again the next day." "That's when you realized she

first, but she resembled my memories too closely. So, I started investigating on

Daphne acknowledge you then?" Vivienne

expression darkened, "Mom didn't know about Noah's passing. She feared endangering me

ached

faked her death

a potion,

her brain nerves. She forgot who she was for a long time until recently, when she started remembering

well known. Without timely antidote, a

on Project Destruction listed Deputy Captain Daphne's cause

chose not

returned with the kettle, now

went out?"

nothing in this

voice was as

her, taking

Daphne's image, or maybe the stories had painted a

a toothpick, and handed it over. "Here, Vivienne,

Hearing this, Vivienne's gaze

and she replied with

about you from my hom. It just