The Million-Dollar Heart

Mara finally came to, her return to consciousness accompanied by the cold, hard reality of the floor beneath her and an awkward blush creeping across her cheeks.

Vivienne, having just finished checking Karen's pupils for any irregularities, heard Mara stir and casually tossed her a smartphone.

"Didn't forget our chat from last night, did you?"

Mara pushed herself upright, a thread of hope in her voice. "So, if I help you out, we're square?"

Vivienne chuckled while adjusting Karen's blanket, her gaze still fixed on Mara. "You should get it straight, Mara. You're helping yourself."

Mara paused, the warning in Vivienne's words chilling her to the bone. She dropped to her knees, desperation quivering in her voice. "Vivienne, please, I'm begging you. Save my brother. I'll do anything, work day and night, anything at all. I had no choice!"

Vivienne perched herself on the edge of Karen's bed, her eyes dancing with amusement at Mara's plea. "And what exactly can you offer me in terms of service?"

Mara bit her lip, words failing her.

Compared to Vivienne, she felt utterly powerless.

Watching Mara's flustered attempts at negotiation, Vivienne lost interest in prolonging the conversation. "Keep your nose clean, follow my instructions, and once your treatment is done, I'll see to it that you keep your life."

Mara's tears, unbidden, streamed down her face. "My brother's stuck in some godforsaken asylum in M State, Vivienne. It's a loony bin! For the love of all that's holy, he never did you wrong. Please, get him out. He's all the family I've got left in this world!"

Vivienne nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all.

What did that have to do with her?

Was she expected to forgive and go out of her way to rescue Huxley just because he'd never crossed her?

Ridiculous.

Disinterested, Vivienne's voice turned icy. "Do as I say, or not even you will make it out alive."

those final words, she stood and

floor, a portrait

betrayed her, Huxley's fate was sealed. Yet, failing to comply with Vivienne meant her own

was caught between a

the drama unfold with a detached curiosity, couldn't fathom Mara's

dire straits,

Willa couldn't understand it.

her own life and

missing, the boss unreachable, and having been kicked out of Vanguard Agency by Vance, she needed to find a way out of

She hadn't exacted her revenge and hadn't seen Percival grovel. She

her phone

snatched it up,

"It's Mara."

heart sank. "What

"I... I killed someone."

Gillian scoffed. "You, a killer? If you had the guts, you

Karen, Vivienne's mother. Boss made me do it. What now? I've pinned it on Aaron, but Vivienne

lie? If Vivienne catches me, you're the first name I'll

Mara

her contact immediately, "Boss, I shouldn't disturb you, but Mara's

man's deep voice interrupted,

gasped aloud. She double-checked the

was a

are you?

worry about who I am, Gillian. Your

call ended, and before Gillian could process what had

as the phone's remnants scattered on the floor, sparking and hissing

beyond repair;

Gillian collapsed, sweat