The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne explained, “Basically, it's like she can’t empathize with others. She doesn’t feel happiness, anger, sadness, or joy. When she snuffed out Birdie, she just thought the chirping was annoying. She didn’t consider that it was Diana's beloved pet. When she watches a horror movie, she just sees it as a scene of murder, nothing scary. She can’t grasp love, friendship, or family ties. She's like a block of ice, pure ice. And even if it melts, it's just a puddle of water.” Maddox shook his head. “But Vivienne, Willa treasures your grandpa and your mom a lot. If she couldn't feel emotions, she wouldn't have shown up today.” People who can’t feel emotions don’t sympathize with others or worry about them.

Yet, Willa clearly wasn't like that.

Plus, she had said in the hospital that she saw everyone as her brothers. So, it didn’t make sense that she couldn't feel familial bonds.

“It’s not absolute. Emotional detachment can be managed. Didn't you say that my mom had a talk with Aunt Willa? | think that was part of the management, which is why she’s so dependent on my mom.” Maddox's eyes brightened in understanding. “You're right. Willa is really dependent on Sasha.” Vivienne pursed her lips and continued, “It seems Aunt Willa wasn’t born this way. It might be due to medication.” “Why do you say that?” Maddox's eyes suddenly took on a fierce edge.

“If it were innate emotional detachment, it wouldn't change so easily. My mom's been gone for over thirty years.

If it were innate, Aunt Willa would have stopped caring years ago, thinking, ‘If she’s gone, she’s gone. It’s no skin off my back.” But she’s been searching all these years and even ran away from hout of shupon learning she is the daughter of F-Poison.

| think, in Aunt Willa’s heart, the interests of the Perez family always cfirst, followed by my mom, grandpa, and then those closest to her.” Maddox raised a hand. “I'm at the top of that ‘closest’ list!” “Sure, sure,” Vivienne said, pressing Maddox’s hand down.

Men can be so weird, fussing over such trivial rankings! Vivienne went on, “If it were an innate emotional detachment, it wouldn't be so easy for people to get close to her. In all these years without my mom, it was Grandpa and you guys who gradually influenced Aunt Willa’s heart. My mom was the enlightenment, and you guys are the continuation. That's what has shaped Aunt Willa today.

If it’s controlled by medication, after a while, when Aunt Willa and | get to know each other better, Ill give her a check-up. That way, we can treat her accordingly and help her recover.” Vivienne finished the last bite of her strawberry cheesecake and added, “But Uncle Maddox, if this doesn’t affect Aunt Willa’s health, there’s no need to worry. It’s just a lack of empathy for others’ emotions, which is fine, don’t you think?” After listening, Maddox heaved a long sigh of relief as if he hadn't really heard what Vivienne was saying, lost in his own world.

“I get it now.” Vivienne raised an eyebrow, “What do you get?” “Willa definitely likes me. She just doesn’t understand it yet. Once she does, she'll realize I'm the love of her life, the one she can’t live without. When her love comes rushing atlike a tidal wave, I'll respond with a river of my own affection. We'll have seven or eight kids, leave them with the eldest to handle, and I'll take Willa to travel the world. Vivienne, what do you think... Hey, where did they go?” Maddox turned around to find not only had Vivienne and Percival disappeared, but even the cheesecake box was gone! He clicked his tongue. “Jealous, they're just jealous!” Vivienne and Percival hadn't left the hospital but had gone to the office Percival had prepared for Vivienne, which held everyone's medical records, including those of Leopold and others who were recuperating on the second floor.

“Soren still hasn't woken up, but Astrid is conscious now, though she can’t move much yet. The others are gradually recovering. Soren should be up in a couple of days.” Vivienne flipped through the medical records and finally picked up Karen's chart.

“I wonder when my mom will wake up.” She bit her lip, listing many methods to awaken Karen, each with its risks and not to be tried lightly.

Percival gently stroked Vivienne’s back, softly saying, “Vivienne, don’t worry. Master will be fine.” “Yeah, this surgery cost a fortune. She owes me!” Vivienne said seriously as if she really intended to collect a debt from her own mother.

Percival moved his lips but found himself at a loss for words.

Right, his Vivienne was still the same, not a bit changed! Over at Elite University, Aaron sat in the café, silently stirring his coffee. Kenneth hadn't bothered him for days since Anna was hospitalized, giving him speace.

But Aaron couldn’t muster any happiness. He didn’t know how to approach Vivienne now.

The Brooks family saga was over, and he hadn't played any substantial role in it.

Like a side character, popping up now and then but failing to leave a lasting impression on the protagonist, much like his place in Vivienne’s heart.

Aaron felt a twinge of dissatisfaction.

Why? He had known Vivienne first and had grown familiar with her. Why had Percival, that old man, gotten ahead? Or was it, as Mara suggested, that Percival misled Vivienne? Lately, Aaron felt like he didn’t have the strength to jostle with Percival for the top spot in Vivienne's heart.

“Hey, Aaron! What's on your mind?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Aaron snapped out of his reverie to find Mara already sitting across from him at the diner booth.

Ever since that incident a while back, it seemed like they hadn't really crossed paths.

“It’s been a while. How's the leg? All healed up?” Aaron inquired with genuine concern.

Mara nodded. “Yeah, the leg’s pretty much back to normal, thanks for asking. But what about you? You look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.” Aaron let out a wry chuckle but didn’t respond.

But really, how heavy can a young man’s troubles be? They usually revolve around just one person, don’t they? Mara, of course, knew all too well.

“Has Vivienne caround to see you yet?” Mara asked gingerly.

Aaron's self-mockery was evident as he said, “Why would she csee me? I'm useless, and she knows it. It would be a waste of her time.” Mara sighed, empathy written all over her face. “That's such a shame. | thought Vivienne was the kind of modern gal who'd leave without a backward glance after what happened. She'd be ready to move on, especially with someone like you waiting in the wings. Why on earth would she cling to Percival?” Then, realizing how her words might have sounded, she quickly tried to backtrack, “I didn’t mean it like that! I'm not saying you're just a backup option.” But that wasn’t what was eating at Aaron. He asked, “What exactly happened to Vivienne? Has Percival done something to her?”