The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Finnian suddenly felt as if a lump of blood was stuck in his throat, unable to escape.

"Little troublemakers, you still want to visit my place?"

"Let you guys up there again, and my lawn will be completely stripped bare!"

Finnian cleared his throat gently and said, "And have the nerve to talk? If it wasn't for you, would I be without a place to stay?"

Juliette gave a sheepish smile, "Grandpa Finnian, don't be mad, okay? I'll use my birthday money to fix your house up. Just make them hurry; I want to stay there too!"

Finnian gave her a look, "What's the deal? Your huge house can't accommodate you two?"

Juliette nodded earnestly, "Yes, yes, it can't!"

Then, wiping away imaginary tears, she said with a face full of grievance, "Grandpa Finnian, you have to stand up for us. Someone is trying to woo my mom, and he wants my mom to kick us out. We're so pitiful, soon to be homeless kids!" Finnian, "Do you even listen to yourself?"

"Pitiful?"

"Homeless?"

"You?"

"Does your face turn red when you say these things?"

Finnian coughed lightly, playing along, "What happened? How did you become homeless?"

Hearing this, Juliette burst into tears, "Grandpa Finnian, someone wants to be my new dad. My grandparents, my great-grandparents, they all told my mom to find a new dad, but... my dad is still alive. What happens to my dad if my mom marries someone else?" Juliette managed to squeeze out a few tears, "Grandpa Finnian, you have to help me! If my mom marries this new guy, we'll never have good days again. You'll never see your smart, cute, kind-hearted Juliette again!" Finnian, "......"

"Listen, stop trying to force tears. It's not worth blinding yourself over this before anything even happens with your stepdad!"

"And by the way! Are you sure you understand what smart, cute, and kind-hearted mean? Are we talking about the same person here?"

Seeing Finnian unresponsive, Juliette continued her sob story, "Grandpa Finnian, if you're silent, does that mean you don't want us either? We're so pitiful, nobody wants us! Isaiah, maybe we should just leave; there's no place for us here anymore!" Finnian looked skyward, at a loss for words but quickly grabbed Juliette, who pretended to leave, "Oh, my dear Juliette, if you leave, wouldn't that break Grandpa Finnian's heart?"

Internally, Finnian thought, I wouldn't be sad at all! The farther away these two troublemakers are, the better!

out loud, "Don't worry, I'll talk to your

Yeah, right!

like Sasha's; convincing her would

hearing this, Juliette smiled triumphantly, "Grandpa Finnian, you're the best! I

Finnian, "......"

don't. I can't handle

"Well, Grandpa Finnian has to go now. Tell your mom I'll come to see her in

Finnian, aren't you going to see my mom now? How will you persuade

Kids' tales, you

other matters to attend to. I'll come by another day."

the man my mom wants to be my new dad!" Juliette

looked vaguely familiar, though

of silence, Finnian said, "Since I'm here, might as well say hello

exchanged puzzled looks. Didn't Finnian have something else to do? Why suddenly change

didn't question him and followed

a playful look, "I thought you were going to keep avoiding

awkward smile, "Now, why would I avoid anyone, especially not my most

speechless, Finnian quickly looked away and turned his attention to

could introduce him, Connor stepped forward, "Hello, I'm Connor! You must be

Vivienne, and smiled, "Seems like you two are quite close, knowing

and Connor exchanged looks

food, and Connor offered his portion to Finnian, ordering another for

dashed to the cashier to pay the

why don't you head back first? I haven't seen Vivienne in a while

to the nearby children's play area, then turned to Finnian,

Finnian shared, "I've uncovered some leads. In Harbor City, there's

paused, lifting his gaze to meet Vivienne's. "But that's all it is, a similarity. I can't find any concrete information about

he had rarely left his retreat,

he was aiding Vivienne in

had never