The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne quickly grabbed a cup of coffee and a bagel for breakfast when the sound of a car engine announced the arrival of guests. Juliette and Isaiah were already at the door, buzzing with excitement. Sasha and Arthur got out of the car, smiles spreading across their faces at the sight of the grandchildren. "Look at you two, Juliette and Isaiah, growing more beautiful and handsome by the day!" Sasha exclaimed. Arthur beamed at Isaiah, "Just look at my grandson, growing up so strong and handsome. Come here and let grandpa take a good look at you!"

Sasha took Juliette's hand while Arthur ruffled Isaiah's hair as they made their way inside.

Floyd stood a bit apart, his face a mask of indifference despite the warm scene unfolding before him. He maintained a polite smile, albeit reluctantly.

Sasha caught sight of Floyd and greeted him, "Floyd, it's been too long."

"Grandma, grandpa," Floyd nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"You've been abroad for years without a visit, but finally, we got you back this year," Arthur said, clapping Floyd on the back as they walked inside. "How's everything going at the base?"

"It's going well, I should be moving up by the end of the year if things continue this way," Floyd replied.

"That's my boy, making contributions to the country. You'll come back home after your project, right?"

"Yes, once the experiment is done."

Arthur seemed pleased with Floyd's response and after a brief chat, joined Sasha in catching up with Vivienne.

"Mom, Dad," Vivienne greeted, guiding Sasha to sit down on the couch.

The conversation turned to family matters as Arthur started unloading gifts he'd brought for the children.

"Come check out what we've got for you. Your grandma and I spent ages picking these out, but we ended up just bringing everything over."

gestures. Vivienne had tried to warn her parents to keep it simple this year,

year; there's no need

her concerns, "As long as my grandkids are happy, that's all that matters. They deserve to

"Floyd, there's something for you too. Don't be shy, have a

declined, "It's their day, not

being modest, but Sasha intervened, supporting

not about liking or not; it's their moment, I shouldn't interfere," Floyd

so, let's not push it. He'll speak up if he sees

smile, though it didn't

thought of their chatter made his head ache. "I'm feeling a bit under the weather; I'll be in

"Doesn't anyone else think Floyd's been acting unusually since

does seem different, not at all like the boy

that she and Mr. Wolf

their concerns, admitting they hadn't found anything concrete

cut short by the arrival of the Perez family,

of them all. Grabbing his phone, he sent a

want a clean sweep on the day,

"Understood," came the reply.

sitting on his bed, silently hoping for the dawn of tomorrow. How many would meet their end then? He

into the dining hall, he was

said, using his fork to transfer a rib to his plate. "You've been quiet about what kind of experiments you're up to."

was taken aback