The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Night fell over the Brooks household.

Kala and Darren ambled into their home, exhausted from an evening event, too tired to even think about removing their makeup.

Ronald was lounging in the living room; upon seeing them, he greeted them with a grin. “You guys are back.

There's sgoodies in the kitchen.” Kala stretched languidly, about to respond, when a knock cat the door. “Who could that be at this hour?” The door swung open to reveal a familiar figure, and Kala paused, blinking in disbelief.

Rubbing her eyes and looking again, she exclaimed, “Vivienne?” She was utterly baffled! Ever since the Brooks family had been rocked by the scandal involving Scott and Judith, Vivienne had beca stranger to their home.

Although Kala and Vivienne occasionally crossed paths, those instances were few and far between.

Vivienne was always so busy, hardly ever seen.

Kala recalled that the last tthey had met was six months ago, a brief encounter en route to the office, nothing more than a hurried greeting before going separate ways.

But now, an uneasy premonition nagged at her - what could Vivienne’s unexpected visit signify? Since their grandmother's passing, Vivienne had moved out of the Brooks residence, and her last visit had been to confront Scott.

Without any apparent reason, Vivienne’s sudden arrival couldn't help but stir fears of impending bad news.

Please, no more shocks - her fragile heart couldn't take it! Ronald, equally surprised by the late visit, managed to say, “Vivienne, what brings you here all of a sudden? Is there something wrong?” Vivienne looked up at him, a slight smile gracing her lips. “Am | not welcomed?” “How could you not be?” Ronald was quick to usher her inside, chuckling. “We're delighted to have you; of course, you're welcome! Please, have a seat!” Vivienne settled onto the couch, turning to Kala. “How have you been lately?” Relieved to see Vivienne’s smiling face, which didn’t seem to portend trouble, Kala felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

She grabbed a soda from the fridge for Vivienne, saying cheerfully, “I've been great, actually. Just snagged an award for Best Actress, and in a few days, I'm off to shoot a movie directed by a renowned filmmaker. It's a script I'm really excited about.” Vivienne nodded. “Sounds fantastic! Keep it up!” Kala hummed in agreement, then asked, “And you? How have things been for you? | saw on your Facebook yesterday that you and Mr. Ellington got hitched?” Kala had once harbored feelings for a man who had helped her, swearing she would marry him. But recently, she discovered that the man was none other than Percival! Far from envying Vivienne’s marriage to Percival, Kala was genuinely happy for her. To Kala, the man who had helped her was no more than a shadow. Until she had learned it was Percival, she didn’t even know what he looked like. Had he been single, she would have pursued him without hesitation. But now, she graciously stepped aside, wishing Percival and Vivienne nothing but happiness.

“Yep.” Vivienne replied with a soft smile.

The tchatted casually until Vivienne turned to Ronald, her tone shifting. “I cto tell you that Carl's been found.” Kala blinked in surprise. “What happened to Carl?” Recently swamped with work, she had been out of the loop with family matters.

“Really? That's wonderful!” Ronald sighed with relief. “I’ve been tied up with the bionic robot project and couldn't go fetch him myself. | was worried when | heard the sanatorium was torched!” Before Vivienne could reply, Ronald added, “The kid wakes up and doesn’t even tell us; calls you instead.” His laughter faltered as his fingers twitched on the armrest.

Vivienne’s eyes flickered over his hand, the smile deepening.

Feeling her gaze, Ronald chuckled awkwardly. “Vivienne, why are you looking atlike that?” With a slight upturn of her lips, her voice cool and steady, Vivienne said, “I'm curious to see the expression of a man who's personally responsible for his own brother's critical injuries when he speaks of such matters.” Ronald's face stiffened. “What do you mean by that?” Kala’s heart skipped a beat. “Vivienne, are you suggesting Ronald hurt Carl?” Impossible. Carl was Ronald's brother! After the tragedy with their grandmother and uncle, she could understand Ronald not showing much grief - after all, their blood ties were somewhat distant. But Carl was different; he was Ronald's biological brother. How could he do such a thing? Refusing to believe it, Kala looked at Vivienne with hopeful eyes, waiting for her to say it was just a joke.

But Vivienne only glanced at her before turning her gaze back to Ronald, her voice soft but firm. “Would you like to tell them, or shall I? Shadow Hawk!" Ronald jolted. “You!” The curve of Vivienne’s lips grew more pronounced. “Surprised?” Ronald's eyes, deep and probing, sought ssign of uncertainty on Vivienne’s face.

He found none.

Throughout their exchange, Vivienne’s smile remained, serene yet chilling. And in those cool eyes, a frosty edge gleamed.

The better he knew her, the more Ronald understood: such smiles were harbingers of her fury.

Ronald gazed at Vivienne for a long while before slowly averting his eyes.

He picked up the glass Kala had just filled for him and drained it in one gulp .Setting the empty glass down, he looked at Vivienne again. “Yeah, it's a shocker. When did you find out? | thought | had my act down pat!” After a brief pause, he added, “Was it just because of Carl's phone call?” “When?” Vivienne leaned back on the couch, her pale, slender fingers pressing against her temples as if deep in thought.

“Maybe it was the day Scott got busted, your covert exchanges with him? Or was it the day Judith died the drugs you pumped into her that sent her over the edge? Or even earlier?” Ronald looked at her, his face a mask of shock, while his mind was in turmoil. She had known all along.

It took him a moment to collect himself before he spoke eh you knew all along, why didn't you expose me? why let me beat Carl to a pulp and have him shipped off to M State in a coma?” Vivienne’s smile widened. “I thought someone as smart as you would have figured out why | haven't made my move against you yet!” Almost instantly after Vivienne’s words dropped, Ronald replied, “Because of F-Poison!” Her smile grew even more radiant. “Ronald, you're truly worthy of being one of Scott's protégés, handpicked for F-Poison!”