The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The person in the bed stirred slightly but didn't open their eyes.

Vivienne watched her closely and deliberately dragged her chair, letting out a sigh, "If you don't believe me, then I might as well leave." The next second, Cordelia's voice, weak and feeble, broke the silence, "Vivienne, wait..." As she tried to sit up, Cordelia's vision blurred, nearly passing out.

Vivienne rushed over to support her, placing a cushion behind her back and handing her a glass of water before sitting down again.

After taking a sip of water, Cordelia couldn't quite meet Vivienne's gaze, her voice laden with guilt, "Vivienne, it's not what you think. I didn't mean I didn't trust you." "It's just so hard to believe. How could Delilah turn against you, even trying to kill Flynn? How could she do such a thing? Flynn is her own child!" Vivienne listened quietly without interrupting.

When Cordelia had calmed down a bit, Vivienne spoke gently, "Cordelia, you don't need to blyourself or feel guilty towards me. The person you saw wasn't the real Aunt Delilah." Cordelia was taken aback.

Her expression changed, "Vivienne, what do you mean by she wasn't the real Delilah?" Vivienne thought for a moment, using a past incident as an example, "Cordelia, do you remember when you and Dorian were impersonated on your way to my family reunion?" Cordelia's eyes widened in realization, "She was an impostor?" Vivienne nodded.

Cordelia's body shook, and after a long moment, she finally exhaled the breath she'd been holding, "Then-where is the real Delilah?" Vivienne's brows furrowed slightly, "She's gone." Cordelia burst into tears, "She... she's gone?" Vivienne nodded, embracing Cordelia, letting her cry it out.

After a while, when Cordelia had calmed down somewhat, Vivienne pulled out a pendant that belonged to Delilah and handed it to her.

"This was your aunt's, but... now it's up to you to look after it." Cordelia's hand froze in mid-air as she fought back tears, finally finding her voice, "Vivienne, how did Delilah die?" Vivienne recalled how Delilah had clung to Abigail's legs, both disappearing into a flash of light, feeling a strange surge of emotion, "Even in death, she didn't let that person harm Flynn." Maybe it was her own pregnancy hormones, but she could understand Delilah's determination to protect Flynn at all costs. Cordelia's held-back tears finally blurred her vision as she cried.

"Your aunt might have been difficult at times, but her heart was in the right place. She ctowith Flynn, looking to make amends for the past." "She truly wanted to change, but..." Vivienne knew Cordelia needed ttoe to terms with the loss of her loved one.

For the rest of their ttogether, she simply listened.

Before leaving, Cordelia wanted to take Flynn back to the Brooks family, as he had no other relatives in Rivenwood besides her. Vivienne hesitated before revealing Flynn's condition to Cordelia, leaving the next steps up to her.

"Cordelia, Flynn's not yet well enough to leave the hospital, and even if he physically recovers, he'll need a lot of psychological support, possibly for a long time." Cordelia took a deep breath, nodding firmly.

"No matter how long it takes, I'll wait.

Delilah only had him, and I can't stand by and let him lose his mom and then his family. A child shouldn't stay in a hospital forever; it's too lonely." en.kikistories When Vivienne left the bedroom, Dorian and Percival looked up simultaneously.

Dorian rushed over, his concern evident, "Vivienne, how is she? Does Cordelia need to go to the hospital?" Vivienne shook her head, "Cordelia needspany these days. If work isn't too busy, try to stay hand be with her." Dorian didn't know the details, but Cordelia's well-being was his priority, "Okay." "As long as she's okay, I'll stay as long as needed." To him, family always cbefore work.

After a brief stay, Vivienne and Percival left, not wanting to overcrowd Cordelia.

On their way back, Percival received a call to report on Abigail's case.

The call hade the day before, but with Mr. Wolf in the hospital, Vivienne couldn't respond immediately, requesting a one-day delay.

Abigail was gone, and the bureaucratic details could wait, or so she thought until the follow-up calls started.

Looking out the car window, Vivienne let out a cold chuckle.

Percival hung up and, catching her expression, asked softly, "What's on your mind, Vivienne?" Her eyes narrowed slightly, "Mr. Wolf, if we say Abigail was devoured by a spell and vanished from this world, do you think they'll believe us?" Percival's gaze turned icy, "There are many mysteries in this world we can't explain with logic. But for now, we can't conclude anything without finding Abigail's body." Vivienne kept silent, but she was on the swavelength as Mr. Wolf.

Indeed, as long as Abigail's body doesn't turn up, this affair is far from over.

Someone who's been plotting in the shadows for decades wouldn't just bow out that easily.

She remembered, that spell was cast by Abigail herself.

On her way to the Perez family's estate, Vivienne received a call from Sasha Perez, inquiring about her whereabouts. Vivienne told her truthfully.

Sasha sighed in relief, then added, "Your grandparents aren't aware of your pregnancy yet. Keep it under wraps when you get here, okay? We can share the news once you're more stable." Vivienne didn't think much of it and simply acknowledged.

Visiting the Perez's meant she couldn't return to the Linklater's anytsoon, but she figured she'd make a trip there when she found the time.

On the other end of the phone, (n Arthur listened perplexedly to the conversation, turning to his wife in confusion, "Honey, if the danger around our daughter has been neutralized, why can't we announce her pregnancy?" en.kikistories